NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
20 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 2:21 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
26 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Wasn't our ancestor Abraham "made right with God by works" when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar?
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
20 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
26 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 2:21?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 2:21 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 2:21 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.