NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
13 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 4:2 — 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 all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
20 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love,
26 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
14 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
13 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
20 words
MSG
26 words
NASB
14 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 4:2?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 4:2 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 4:2 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.