Compare John 3:14-15 in Four Translations

“As Moses lifted up the snake on a pole in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. Then everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Meaning-for-Meaning (Closest Natural Equivalence)

Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
New English Translation (NET)
Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)

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“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, the Son of Man must also be lifted up. So that everyone who believes can have eternal life in him.”
New Century Version (NCV)
Thought-for-Thought (Functional Equivalence)

And the Son of Man must be lifted up, just as the metal snake was lifted up by Moses in the desert. Then everyone who has faith in the Son of Man will have eternal life.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Paraphrase (Retelling)

Visit our Bible Translation Guide for more information about the major differences between the clear, natural English of God’s Word and other translations.