NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Faith and Deeds What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
25 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 2:14 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
21 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
22 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
28 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it?
33 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
22 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
25 words
KJV
21 words
ESV
22 words
NLT
28 words
MSG
33 words
NASB
22 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 2:14?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 2:14 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 2:14 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.