NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 4:8 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.
16 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.Embrace her, and she will honor you.
15 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won't regret it; never let her go—she'll make your life glorious.
18 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
'Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
16 words
NLT
15 words
MSG
18 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 4:8?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 4:8 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 4:8 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.