NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 3:13 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. <sup>that getteth: Heb. that draweth out understanding</sup>
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,the one who gains understanding.
11 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight.
14 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.
14 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
11 words
MSG
14 words
NASB
14 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 3:13?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 3:13 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of Proverbs 3:13 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.