NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Made Alive in Christ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 2:1 — 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 you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
9 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.
12 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin.
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
9 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
9 words
NLT
12 words
MSG
16 words
NASB
9 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 2:1?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 2:1 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 2:1 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.