NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
22 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 2:10 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. <sup>ordained: or, prepared</sup>
26 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
22 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
26 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
47 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
22 words
KJV
26 words
ESV
22 words
NLT
26 words
MSG
47 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 2:10?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 2:10 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 2:10 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.