NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints—
20 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 1:4 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
20 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people,
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
We keep getting reports on your steady faith in Christ, our Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians.
21 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;
19 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
20 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
20 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
21 words
NASB
19 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 1:4?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 1:4 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 1:4 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.