NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 2:4 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
14 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
14 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
12 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
haven't you segregated God's children and proved that you are judges who can't be trusted?
15 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?
13 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
14 words
ESV
14 words
NLT
12 words
MSG
15 words
NASB
13 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 2:4?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 2:4 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 2:4 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.