Romans 3:14 — Compare Translations

Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.

NIV

New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)

Dynamic equivalence
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

8 words · Balance of accuracy and readability

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Formal equivalence
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

8 words · Formal / word-for-word

ESV

English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)

Formal equivalence
“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

8 words · Essentially literal

NLT

New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)

Dynamic equivalence
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

8 words · Thought-for-thought clarity

MSG

The Message · 2002

Paraphrase
They open their mouths and pollute the air.

8 words · Contemporary paraphrase

NASB

New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)

Formal equivalence
'WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS';

8 words · Most literal English translation

Translation Length Comparison

NIV
8 words
KJV
8 words
ESV
8 words
NLT
8 words
MSG
8 words
NASB
8 words

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Bible translations are there for Romans 3:14?

Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 3:14 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 Romans 3:14 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.