NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Rules for Christian Households Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 3:18 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
14 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
11 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
15 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
12 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
14 words
ESV
11 words
NLT
15 words
MSG
16 words
NASB
12 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 3:18?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 3:18 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 3:18 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.