NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
23 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 1:20 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
24 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
23 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
22 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven,
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly [places],
24 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
23 words
KJV
24 words
ESV
23 words
NLT
22 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
24 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 1:20?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 1:20 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 Ephesians 1:20 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.