NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 4:3 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
16 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For I, too, was once my father’s son,tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
When I was a boy at my father's knee, the pride and joy of my mother,
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,
19 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
16 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
16 words
NASB
19 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 4:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 4:3 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 4:3 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.