NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
20 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 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 whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.
24 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others.
21 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one [point], he has become guilty of all.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
20 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
24 words
MSG
21 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 2:10?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 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 James 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.