NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
24 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 4:9 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
24 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
25 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.
25 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
And I've sent Onesimus with him. Onesimus is one of you, and has become such a trusted and dear brother! Together they'll bring you up-to-date on everything that has been going on here.
33 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
and with him Onesimus, [our] faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your [number]. They will inform you about the whole situation here.
24 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
24 words
KJV
24 words
ESV
25 words
NLT
25 words
MSG
33 words
NASB
24 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 4:9?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 4:9 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 4:9 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.