NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
20 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 3:3 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
21 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!Tie them around your neck as a reminder.Write them deep within your heart.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
19 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
21 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
20 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
21 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
19 words
NASB
21 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 3:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 3:3 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 3:3 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.