NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 3:25 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
16 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
17 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
You need not be afraid of sudden disasteror the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
15 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
16 words
ESV
17 words
NLT
15 words
MSG
16 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 3:25?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 3:25 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 3:25 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.