Leviticus 20:21 — Compare Translations

27 translations compared side by side

And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is impurity; he has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless [not literally, but in a legal sense].

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is impurity; he has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless [not literally, but in a legal sense].

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they shall be childless.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is impurity. He has violated the intimacy that belongs to his brother; they will be childless.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

And if a man take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness: they shall be childless.

English EASY 2024

If a man marries his brother's wife, that makes him unclean. Neither of them will have any children. The man has brought shame on his brother.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

"It is wrong for a man to take his brother's wife. It would be like having sexual relations with his brother! They will have no children.

If a man takes his brother's wife, it is impurity. He has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

If a man takes his brother's wife, they will die childless. He has done a ritually unclean thing and has disgraced his brother.

English God's Word - GW 1995

Whoever marries his brother's wife violates his brother's marriage and does an unclean thing. That man and woman will have no children.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

If a man marries his brother's wife, it is impurity. He has shamed his brother; they will be childless.

English KJV 1611

And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.

English LSB

If there is a man who takes his brother’s wife, it is an impure act; he has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They will be childless.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

If a man lies with his brother’s wife, it is impurity. He has exposed his brother’s nakedness. They shall be childless.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

'If there is a man who takes his brother's wife, it is abhorrent; he has uncovered his brother's nakedness. They will be childless.

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

If a man marries his brother's wife and thus disgraces his brother, they shall be childless because of this incest.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

If a man has sexual intercourse with his brother’s wife, it is indecency. He has exposed his brother’s nakedness; they will be childless.

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

" 'Suppose a man gets married to his brother's wife. That is something that should never be done. He has brought shame on his brother. Neither of them will have any children.

English NIV

"'If a man marries his brother's wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother. They will be childless.

English NKJ 1982

If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is an unclean thing. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be childless.

English NLT

If a man marries his brother's wife, it is an act of impurity. He has violated his brother, and the guilty couple will remain childless.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

If a man takes his brother's wife, it is impurity; he has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

If a man takes his brother's wife, it is impurity; he has uncovered his brother's nakedness, they shall be childless.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

If a man marries his brother's wife, this is impurity; for he has taken what belongs to his brother, and they shall be childless.

English Tyndale 1537

If a man take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing, he hath uncovered his brother's secrets, they shall be childless therefore.