NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
20 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 3:18 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
21 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
21 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;happy are those who hold her tightly.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight—and be blessed!
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.
21 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
20 words
KJV
21 words
ESV
21 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
16 words
NASB
21 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 3:18?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 3:18 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 3:18 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.