NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
26 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 1:22 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour : yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
22 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.
20 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose.
29 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
But if [I am] to live [on] in the flesh, this [will mean] fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
25 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
26 words
KJV
23 words
ESV
22 words
NLT
20 words
MSG
29 words
NASB
25 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 1:22?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 1:22 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 Philippians 1:22 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.