NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 3:8 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. <sup>health: Heb. medicine</sup> <sup>marrow: Heb. watering, or, moistening</sup>
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Then you will have healing for your bodyand strength for your bones.
12 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
13 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.
12 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
12 words
MSG
13 words
NASB
12 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 3:8?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 3:8 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 3:8 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.