NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 3:21 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
14 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
My son, do not lose sight of these — keep sound wisdom and discretion,
14 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.Hang on to them,
13 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them.
19 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
14 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
14 words
ESV
14 words
NLT
13 words
MSG
19 words
NASB
14 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 3:21?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 3:21 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 3:21 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.