NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
13 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 2:9 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
11 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
10 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.
13 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him.
39 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,
12 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
13 words
KJV
11 words
ESV
10 words
NLT
13 words
MSG
39 words
NASB
12 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 2:9?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 2:9 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 2:9 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.