NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 2:19 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
16 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder!
16 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
26 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That's just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them?
40 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
16 words
ESV
16 words
NLT
26 words
MSG
40 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 2:19?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 2:19 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 2:19 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.