Compare John 3:16 in Four Translations

God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.
GOD’S WORD Translation
Meaning-for-Meaning (Closest Natural Equivalence)

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.
King James Version
Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)

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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
New International Version
Thought-for-Thought (Functional Equivalence)

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The Living Bible
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.