Bible Verses
Translation comparison

Wisdom of Solomon 13:7 in 2 translations

2 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.

King James Version
KJV

For being conversant in his works they search him diligently, and believe their sight: because the things are beautiful that are seen.

1611 / 1769 · Public domain · The Authorised Version, revised to the 1769 Blayney text. Includes the Apocrypha as printed in 1611.

Modern English

Contemporary vocabulary and punctuation, aiming for the sentence a present-day reader would write while staying close to the source.

World English Bible
WEB

For living among his works they make diligent search, And they yield themselves up to sight, because the things that they look upon are beautiful.

2000s · Public domain · A modern-English update of the ASV. Reads close to contemporary speech while staying in the literal tradition. Includes the Apocrypha.

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.

For living among his works they make diligent search and they yield themselves up to sight: because the things that they look upon are beautiful.

Word-for-word swaps

  • inliving
  • theirthey
  • seenbeautiful

The verses either side

King James text. A comparison is easier to judge when you can see the sentence the verse sits inside.

6But yet for this they are the less to be blamed: for they peradventure err, seeking God, and desirous to find him.
7For being conversant in his works they search him diligently, and believe their sight: because the things are beautiful that are seen.
8Howbeit neither are they to be pardoned.

Not shown for this verse: American Standard Version, Darby Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Open English Bible (US), Open English Bible (Commonwealth), Bible in Basic English. Most modern translations do not include the Apocrypha.