NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
17 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 2:7 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled,
15 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Jesus ordered the servants, "Fill the pots with water." And they filled them to the brim.
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Jesus said to them, 'Fill the waterpots with water.' So they filled them up to the brim.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
17 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
15 words
MSG
16 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 2:7?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 2:7 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 2:7 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.