NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
27 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 3:17 — 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 whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
26 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
25 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
23 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
25 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Whatever you do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
24 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
27 words
KJV
26 words
ESV
25 words
NLT
23 words
MSG
25 words
NASB
24 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 3:17?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 3:17 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 3:17 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.