NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 3:23 — 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, do it heartily , as to the Lord, and not unto men;
16 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Work from the heart for your real Master, for God,
10 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
16 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
10 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 3:23?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 3:23 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 3:23 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.