Verse Comparison: Hebrews 9:17
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® Bible
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.
Contemporary English Version
In other words, a will doesn't go into effect as long as the one who made it is still alive.
Darby English Version
For a testament [is] of force when men are dead, since it is in no way of force while the testator is alive.)
Good News Bible
for a will means nothing while the person who made it is alive; it goes into effect only after his death.
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.
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.
New International Version
because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.
New King James Version
For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
For a covenant becomes valid only when men die, for it had never become enforced while the one who made it lives.
Young's Literal Translation
for a covenant over dead victims `is' stedfast, since it is no force at all when the covenant-victim liveth,