NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
11 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 3:21 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
11 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
10 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
11 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits.
14 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
13 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
11 words
KJV
11 words
ESV
10 words
NLT
11 words
MSG
14 words
NASB
13 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 3:21?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 3:21 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 3:21 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.