NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
28 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 2:16 — 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 one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
32 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
27 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well” — but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
31 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you?
34 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,' and yet you do not give them what is necessary for [their] body, what use is that?
32 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
28 words
KJV
32 words
ESV
27 words
NLT
31 words
MSG
34 words
NASB
32 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 2:16?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 2:16 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 2:16 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.