NIV Side-by-Side Comparison

The try-before-you-buy equivalent of choosing the right bible. This side by side comparison puts famous verses of popular Bible translations alongside the New International Version (NIV). 

The versions of the Bible in this comparison guide are:

• The New International Version Bible (NIV)

• The Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

• The King James Version (KJV)

• The New Living Translation (NLT)

• The English Standard Version (ESV)

Click on any of the Bible names above to find out more about each one.

And now, onto the Bible verse comparisons:

John 3:16

Arguably, the most iconic verse of the whole Bible, this aphorism of God’s gift and Christ’s coming is a verse of hope for millions. These different translations each bring out in their own way. Some are direct into laying out their purpose, most notably the CSB which paints His gift of Jesus as the way due to it’s emphasising use of ‘in this way’.

[NIV] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

[CSB] “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

[NLT] “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

[KJV] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

[ESV] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Bringing comfort for the future, Jeremiah 29:11 inspires readers, and features a notable distinction between modern and classical translations. Aside from the KJV, all the verses end with both ‘hope’ and ‘future’, rather than ‘an expected end’ which can be an enigmatic notion to modern readers.

(Also, the KJV’s use of ‘thoughts of peace’, rather than ‘plans’, as used by all the others, is a fascinating starting point for those interested in the KJV’s theology.)

[NIV] “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

[CSB] “For I know the plans I have for you” ?— ?this is the Lord’s declaration ?— ?“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

[NLT] “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

[KJV] “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

[ESV] “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Psalm 23:1-2

Whenever the book of Psalms is mentioned, most people think of the classic pastoral Psalm of God’s protection: Psalm 23. 

Note the uses of ‘want’ and ‘need’ between the translations. These kinds of differences are both a great opening into discussions of the verse, and a route into finding which translation carries a greater resonance with you.

[NIV] “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures”

[CSB] “The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures”

[NLT] “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows;”

[KJV] “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”

[ESV] “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

Romans 12:12

The shortest of verses can be as illuminating as the longest. The stirring yet laconic verse of Romans 12:12 shows just that. Each translation contains several subtle changes that characterise the differences these translations embody.

[NIV] “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

[CSB] “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”

[NLT] “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”

[KJV] “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”

[ESV] “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Genesis 1:1

Ending with the beginning, the very first verse of the Bible is a poignant reminder that whatever the translation, there is only one ever message of God’s power and love for humanity that prevails throughout. There is one book, one story, and one God: the words may change but the message always remains.

[NIV] “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

[CSB] “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

[NLT] “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

[KJV] “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

[ESV] “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

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