NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
23 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 3:24 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
19 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
21 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ.
25 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
21 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
23 words
KJV
19 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
21 words
MSG
25 words
NASB
21 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 3:24?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 3:24 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 3:24 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.