How we adapt Bible verses for children
Four age levels – one verse
John 3:16 in the World English Bible: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Tiny (ages 2–4): “God loved the world so much.”
Little (ages 3–6): “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. Whoever believes in him will not perish but live forever with God.”
Kids (ages 6–10): “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not be lost but have eternal life.”
Junior (ages 10–14): “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Kids Bible Daily uses the Tiny and Little versions. The Kids and Junior versions appear on our sister site Kids Bible World.
More examples
Joshua 1:9 – World English Bible: “Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” · Little: “Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, for God is with you everywhere.”
Psalm 23:1 – World English Bible: “A Psalm by David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.” · Little: “The LORD is my shepherd. I have everything I need.” · Kids: “A psalm (song or prayer to God) by David. The LORD is my shepherd; I will not lack anything.”
Luke 2:11 – World English Bible: “For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” · Little: “Today a Savior is born for you in David’s town. He is Christ the Lord.” · Kids: “For today in David’s town a Savior is born for you. He is Christ (God’s chosen King), the Lord.”
Our rules
1. The message stays the same: who acts, what happens, what God promises or asks.
2. We add nothing that is not in the verse – no explanation inside the verse.
3. We shorten only when the meaning stays the same; promises and conditions are never dropped.
4. God’s name: where the Bible has the LORD, we write “LORD”.
5. Key words stay: grace, sin, covenant, holy, faith, Savior and others.
6. Brackets only rarely: at most one short explanation per verse.
7. Nothing is watered down; hard parts are said briefly and gently, or left for older children.
8. Plain, modern English.
9. One verse, one wording: the same verse reads the same everywhere on our sites.
What we do not do
We do not put our own interpretation into the Bible text – that belongs in the story or the message. And we never use a modern copyrighted translation as a model.
How a verse is checked
First the verse is rendered for an age level. Then a separate reviewer compares it with the World English Bible and the American Standard Version (1901), checks each rule and, for key words, the Hebrew or Greek meaning. Only then is it published. Unclear cases are written down and decided carefully.
Base texts: World English Bible and American Standard Version 1901, both public domain (eBible.org).
Our Bible verses
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