NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 5:5 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
22 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
21 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.
22 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
You've looted the earth and lived it up. But all you'll have to show for it is a fatter than usual corpse.
22 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
24 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
22 words
ESV
21 words
NLT
22 words
MSG
22 words
NASB
24 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 5:5?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 5:5 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 5:5 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.