Parallel Verses

King James Version

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

New American Standard Bible

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

Holman Bible

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

International Standard Version

For a will is in force only when somebody has died, since it never takes effect as long as the one who made it is alive.

A Conservative Version

For a covenant is effective with the dead, since it is never enforced while the man who made the covenant lives.

American Standard Version

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

Amplified

for a will and testament takes effect [only] at death, since it is never in force as long as the one who made it is alive.

An Understandable Version

For a will is in force [only] when there has been a death; for it is not in effect as long as the one who made it is [still] alive.

Anderson New Testament

for a testament goes into effect after men are dead: seeing that it has no validity at all while the testator lives.

Bible in Basic English

For a testament has effect after death; for what power has it while the man who made it is living?

Common New Testament

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

Daniel Mace New Testament

because a testament has no effect till after the demise: it not being in force while the testator is alive.

Darby Translation

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

Godbey New Testament

for a covenant is valid in case of the dead: since it has no force while the covenanter lives.

Goodspeed New Testament

for a will is valid only in the case of a person who is dead; it has no force as long as the testator is alive.

John Wesley New Testament

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

Julia Smith Translation

For a will is firm by the dead: since it has no power when he having willed lives.

King James 2000

For a will is in force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the maker lives.

Lexham Expanded Bible

For a will [is] in force concerning those who are dead, since [it is] never in force when the one who made the will is alive.

Modern King James verseion

For a covenant is affirmed over those dead, since it never has force when The one covenanting is living.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

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

Moffatt New Testament

A will only holds in cases of death; it is never valid so long as the testator is alive.

Montgomery New Testament

For a testament is only of force in case of the dead, being never valid so long as the testator lives.

NET Bible

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

New Heart English Bible

For a will is in force where there has been death, for it is never in force while he who made it lives.

Noyes New Testament

for a testament is of force after men are dead, since it is of no force while the testator is living.

Sawyer New Testament

For a covenant is strong for the dead, since it is never strong [unalterable] when the covenant-maker lives;

The Emphasized Bible

For, a covenant over dead persons, is firm, - since it is not then of force when he is living that hath covenanted.

Thomas Haweis New Testament

For a testament is valid when men are dead; for else it is of no efficacy whilst the testator is alive.

Twentieth Century New Testament

For such a Covenant takes effect only upon death, it does not come into force as long as the testator is alive.

Webster

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

Weymouth New Testament

And a will is only of force in the case of a deceased person, being never of any avail so long as he who made it lives.

Williams New Testament

For a will is valid only after a man is dead, since it has no force whatever while the one who made it is alive.

World English Bible

For a will is in force where there has been death, for it is never in force while he who made it lives.

Worrell New Testament

For a testament over dead persons is of force; since it is never valid while the testator is living.

Worsley New Testament

For a testament is valid after men are dead, but is of no force while the testator is living.

Youngs Literal Translation

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

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
For
γάρ 
Gar 
for, , not tr
Usage: 825

διαθήκη 
Diatheke 
Usage: 29

is of force
βέβαιος 
Bebaios 
Usage: 9

ἐπί 
Epi 
on, in, upon, unto, to,
Usage: 644

νεκρός 
Nekros 
Usage: 105

ἐπεί 
Epei 
Usage: 26

it is of
ἰσχύω 
Ischuo 
can , be able, avail, prevail, be whole, cannot , can do, may,
Usage: 19

no
μήποτε μήποτε 
mepote 
lest, lest at any time, whether or not, lest haply , if peradventure, no ... not at all, not tr
Usage: 12

ἰσχύω 
Ischuo 
can , be able, avail, prevail, be whole, cannot , can do, may,
Usage: 19

at all
μήποτε μήποτε 
mepote 
lest, lest at any time, whether or not, lest haply , if peradventure, no ... not at all, not tr
Usage: 12

ὅτε ὅτε ἥτε τοτε 
Hote 
Usage: 86

the testator
διατίθεμαι 
Diatithemai 
Usage: 5

Context Readings

The Heavenly Ministry Of The New Covenant

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.


Cross References

Galatians 3:15

Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

Genesis 48:21

And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain