NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 2:14 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
19 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money.
23 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.
22 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated [at their tables].
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
19 words
KJV
19 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
23 words
MSG
22 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 2:14?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 2:14 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 John 2:14 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.