NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 1:22 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
15 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!
31 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
14 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
15 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
31 words
NASB
14 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 1:22?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 1:22 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 James 1:22 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.