NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
28 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 2:16 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: <sup>in meat: or, for eating and drinking</sup> <sup>respect: or, part</sup>
37 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
27 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.
25 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
So don't put up with anyone pressuring you in details of diet, worship services, or holy days.
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--
29 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
28 words
KJV
37 words
ESV
27 words
NLT
25 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
29 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 2:16?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 2:16 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 2:16 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.