NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
11 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 2:5 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
11 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
10 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.
10 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
11 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
11 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
11 words
NLT
10 words
MSG
10 words
NASB
11 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 2:5?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 2:5 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 2:5 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.