Hebrews 9:17 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

for a covenant over dead victims [is] stedfast, since it is no force at all when the covenant-victim liveth,

English ASV

For a testament is of force where there hath been death: for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth.

English Amplified

For a will and testament is valid and takes effect only at death, since it has no force or legal power as long as the one who made it is alive.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

For a will and testament is valid and takes effect only at death, since it has no force or legal power as long as the one who made it is alive.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

because a will does not take effect until the one who made it has died; it cannot be executed while he is still alive.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in effect while the one who made it is living.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

For a testament [is] of force when men are dead, since it is in no way of force while the testator is alive.)

English EASY 2024

The agreement only has authority after the death of the person who made it. It has no authority while that person is still alive.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

A will means nothing while the one who wrote it is still living. It can be used only after that person's death.

For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

for a will means nothing while the person who made it is alive; it goes into effect only after his death.

English God's Word - GW 1995

A will is used only after a person is dead because it goes into effect only when a person dies.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in force while the testator is living.

English KJV 1611

For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

English LSB

For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

For a will has force after men are dead, since it has no force at all while the one who made it lives.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

For a will takes effect only at death; it has no force while the testator is alive.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

For a will takes effect only at death, since it carries no force while the one who made it is alive.

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

A will is in effect only when somebody has died. It never takes effect while the one who made it is still living.

English NIV

because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.

English NKJ 1982

For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.

English NLT

The will goes into effect only after the death of the person who wrote it. While the person is still alive, no one can use the will to get any of the things promised to them.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

The will goes into effect only after the death of the person who wrote it. While he is still alive no one can use it to get any of those things he has promised them.

English Tyndale 1537

For the testament taketh authority when men are dead: For it is of no value as long as he that made it is alive.

Hebrews 9:17 — Compare Translations