NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 2:13 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
23 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for [His] good pleasure.
20 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
23 words
NASB
20 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 2:13?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 2:13 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 2:13 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.