NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 1:17 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
He existed before anything else,and he holds all creation together.
10 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
12 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
10 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
12 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 1:17?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 1:17 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of Colossians 1:17 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.