A Comparison of John 1:11-12

He went to his own people, and his own people didn’t accept him. However, he gave the right to become God’s children to everyone who believed in him.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Meaning-for-Meaning (Closest Natural Equivalence)

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
New King James Version (NKJV)
Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)

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He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Thought-for-Thought (Functional Equivalence)

He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God’s children.
Good News Translation (GNT)
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.