John 3 Comparison: Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version
John 3
1And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2This man came to him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou hast come as a teacher from God; for no one can do these signs which thou doest, unless God be with him.
3Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly do I say to thee, Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4Nicodemus saith to him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time, and be born?
5Jesus answered, Truly, truly do I say to thee, Unless a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
6That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.
7Marvel not that I said to thee, Ye must be born again.
8The wind bloweth where it will; and thou hearest the sound thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be?
10Jesus answered and said to him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?
11Truly, truly do I say to thee, We speak that which we know, and testify that which we have seen; and ye receive not our testimony.
12If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how will ye believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he who came down from heaven, even the Son of man.
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up
15that every one who believeth in him may have everlasting life.
16For God so loved the world, that he gave the only begotten Son, that every one who believeth in him may not perish, but may have everlasting life.
17For God sent not the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through him the world might be saved.
18He that believeth in him is not condemned; he that believeth not hath already been condemned, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19And this is the condemnation, that the light hath come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.
20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
22After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judaea; and there he remained with them, and baptized.
23And John also was baptizing in Ænon, near Salim, because there was much water there; and they came, and were baptized.
24For John was not yet thrown into prison.
25Then there arose a question on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purifying.
26And they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, he baptizeth, and all men are going to him.
27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, unless it be given him from heaven.
28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before that man.
29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. This my joy then hath become full.
30He must increase, but I must decrease.
31He that cometh from above is above all. He that is from the earth is earthly, and speaketh earthly things; he that cometh from heaven
32testifieth what he hath seen and heard; and no one receiveth his testimony.
33He that hath received his testimony hath set his seal that God is true.
34For he whom God sent speaketh the words of God; for he giveth not the Spirit by measure.
35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life; and he that disobeyeth the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3
1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
22After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24For John was not yet cast into prison.
25Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30He must increase, but I must decrease.
31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Understanding Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version in John 3
Noyes Translation (1869) (Noyes)
A scholarly 1869 translation by George R. Noyes, aiming for precision and literary beauty. Known for its distinct Unitarian perspective and separate translation of poetical books like Psalms.
King James Version (KJV)
The classic 1611 English translation known for its majestic prose and literary influence. Ideal for traditional study and memorization thanks to its formal style. A foundational English Bible used for centuries.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of John 3 in the Noyes Translation (1869) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave the only begotten Son, that every one who believeth in him may not perish, but may have everlasting life."
"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."





