NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 3:4 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. <sup>good: or, good success</sup>
19 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
15 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Then you will find favor with both God and people,and you will earn a good reputation.
16 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.
15 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
19 words
ESV
15 words
NLT
16 words
MSG
15 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 3:4?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 3:4 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 3:4 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.