Bible Verses
Translation comparison

Wisdom of Solomon 18:25 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

Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.

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

To these the destroyer gave place, and these the people feared; For it was enough only to make trial of the wrath.

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.

To these the destroyer gave place, and these the people feared; for it was enough only to make trial of the wrath.

Word-for-word swaps

  • UntoTo
  • themthese
  • tastedto

The verses either side

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

24For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy Majesty upon the diadem of his head.
25Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.

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.