NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
7 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
7 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
King James Version · 1611
Their feet are swift to shed blood:
7 words · Formal / word-for-word
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
7 words · Essentially literal
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
“They rush to commit murder.
5 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
The Message · 2002
They race for the honor of sinner-of-the-year,
7 words · Contemporary paraphrase
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
'THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
7 words · Most literal English translation
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 3:15 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).
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.
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.