NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
22 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 2:15 — 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 the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. <sup>the man: or, Adam</sup>
26 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
20 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
God took the Man and set him down in the Garden of Eden to work the ground and keep it in order.
22 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.
21 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
22 words
KJV
26 words
ESV
20 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
22 words
NASB
21 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 2:15?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 2:15 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 Genesis 2:15 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.