NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 2:26 — 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 he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
21 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill.
23 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
He has been wanting in the worst way to get back with you. Especially since recovering from the illness you heard about, he's been wanting to get back and reassure you that he is just fine.
36 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
21 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
23 words
MSG
36 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 2:26?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 2:26 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 2:26 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.