NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?
19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 4:5 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? <sup>to envy: or, enviously?</sup> <sup>to envy: or, enviously</sup>
26 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
27 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.
27 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover."
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: 'He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us'?
24 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
19 words
KJV
26 words
ESV
27 words
NLT
27 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
24 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 4:5?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 4:5 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 4:5 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.