NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
13 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 2:29 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: <sup>hold: or, honor such</sup>
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve.
20 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Give him a grand welcome, a joyful embrace! People like him deserve the best you can give.
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
13 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
20 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 2:29?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 2:29 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 2:29 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.