There are good modern translations that are good. I use NIV, ESV, and AMPC. Unfortunately the KJV is 400 years old and English has changed. Kill then meant deliberate murder. Today the "Thou shalt not kill" is "You shall not murder" in modern translations. With AMPC it gives in parentheses the multiple definitions of the original language words. Here is John 3:16 AMPC. Notice the extra meanings of "believe in". More than a simple belief. The image "clings to" gives me is a toddler grabbing hold of daddy's leg while he slowly walks. I remember my kids doing that to me.Agree. Best to leave translating Gods word to God. He knows exactly the right words to use.
John 3 AMPC
16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life