NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 2:7 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
33 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.
41 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
having been firmly rooted [and now] being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, [and] overflowing with gratitude.
25 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
33 words
MSG
41 words
NASB
25 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 2:7?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 2:7 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 2:7 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.