Hebrews 1:13 in 8 translations
8 distinct wordings, grouped by what each translation is trying to do. Differences from the King James text are marked below.
Early modern English
Seventeenth-century wording and sentence shape. Familiar, rhythmic, and the version most quotations you have heard are taken from.
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
1611 / 1769 · Public domain · The Authorised Version, revised to the 1769 Blayney text. Includes the Apocrypha as printed in 1611.
Literal, word-for-word
Follows Hebrew and Greek word order and grammar closely, even where the English becomes stiff. Useful for seeing what the underlying sentence is doing.
But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet?
1901 · Public domain · The American revision of the English Revised Version. Deliberately literal, and the base text behind several later translations.
But as to which of the angels said he ever, Sit at my right hand until I put thine enemies [as] footstool of thy feet?
1890 · Public domain · John Nelson Darby's translation, made for close study rather than public reading. Often exposes grammatical detail other versions smooth over.
And unto which of the messengers said He ever, `Sit at My right hand, till I may make thine enemies thy footstool?'
1898 · Public domain · The most extreme word-for-word rendering here, keeping Hebrew and Greek tense and word order at the cost of natural English.
Modern English
Contemporary vocabulary and punctuation, aiming for the sentence a present-day reader would write while staying close to the source.
But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?”
2000s · Public domain · A modern-English update of the ASV. Reads close to contemporary speech while staying in the literal tradition. Includes the Apocrypha.
To which of the angels has God ever said – ‘Sit you at my right hand until I put your enemies as a stool for your feet’?
in progress · Public domain (CC0) · A modern open-licensed translation, still being completed. Some Old Testament books are not yet available.
To which of the angels has God ever said – “Sit you at my right hand until I put your enemies as a stool for your feet”?
in progress · Public domain (CC0) · The Commonwealth spelling edition of the Open English Bible. Identical wording to the US edition apart from spelling.
Simplified English
Built from a deliberately small vocabulary so the sense stays reachable for new readers and non-native speakers. Trades nuance for clarity.
But of which of the angels has he said at any time, Take your seat at my right hand till I put all those who are against you under your feet?
1949 · Public domain · Written with roughly a thousand basic English words plus a small Bible vocabulary. The plainest reading available here.
What changes between the King James and modern wording
The modern rendering is printed below with every word that differs from the King James text marked, so the actual divergence is visible rather than left for you to spot.
But which of the angels has he told at any time, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool? of your feet?”
Word-for-word swaps
- said→has
- on→at
- thine→your
- thy→the
The verses either side
King James text. A comparison is easier to judge when you can see the sentence the verse sits inside.