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Compare Bible translations

Enter any passage, choose two to four Bibles, and see how translation approach shapes the English you read.

Now showing Guided. A short summary, then the passage, with a little context for each difference.

This is an educational comparison guide — not a Bible reader, and not a quiz that picks a best Bible. You can change this anytime.

The short version

KJV (Word-for-Word); NIV (Balance); ESV (Word-for-Word); NLT (Thought-for-Thought). Among these, this guide lists NLT as the easiest reading grade (6.3) and KJV as the most demanding (12).

This summary uses the listed method and reading-grade listings. It is not a ranking.

  • How literal is it?

    KJV stays closer to the wording and structure of the original languages. NIV aims to balance original wording with natural English. ESV stays closer to the wording and structure of the original languages. NLT puts the meaning into natural modern English.

  • How easy is it to read?

    Among these, this guide lists NLT as the easiest reading grade (6.3) and KJV as the most demanding (12). More complex sentence structure is a teaching group of that number, not a quality score.

  • What does it feel like to read?

    KJV is first listed before 1970 (1611) and more word-for-word. NIV is first listed in 1970 or later (1978) and a balance of both. ESV is first listed in 1970 or later (2001) and more word-for-word. NLT is first listed in 1970 or later (1996) and more thought-for-thought.

  • What is it especially good for?

    KJV: In response to Protestant concerns of inaccuracies in earlier English versions (Tyndale's, Geneva, Bishop's). NIV: To provide a modern translation acceptable to many denominations. The 2011 revision brought the translation into line with contemporary… ESV: To produce a modern, readable, and accurate translation in the tradition of the Tyndale Version (1535) and King James Version (1611). NLT: To provide an easy-to-read modern version.

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Showing John 3:16–17

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John 3:16–17

4 translations · clean reading

1 of 4

Explore this difference

The versions you selected differ as translations in the ways listed below. That does not explain any particular word in this passage.

  • Translation approachWord-for-Word · Balance · Thought-for-Thought
  • Reading gradeKJV 12 · NIV 7 · ESV 8 · NLT 6.3
  • English eraHistorical English · Modern English
  • LineageKJV: Bishop's Bible (1568), Tyndale's Bible (1535) · NIV: not listed in this guide · ESV: Revised Standard Version (1971 edition) · NLT: The Living Bible (1971)
  • Textual basisKJV: Textus Receptus · NIV: Eclectic text · ESV: United Bible Societies Greek New Testament, Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece · NLT: United Bible Societies Greek New Testament, Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece
  • Stated purposeThis guide lists a different stated purpose for each of these versions.
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