NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 5:6 — 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 condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
13 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
12 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
In fact, what you've done is condemn and murder perfectly good persons, who stand there and take it.
18 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
You have condemned and put to death the righteous [man]; he does not resist you.
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
12 words
MSG
18 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 5:6?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 5:6 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 5:6 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.