NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.
22 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 3:19 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
21 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.
25 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
28 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
whose end is destruction, whose god is [their] appetite, and [whose] glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
22 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
21 words
NLT
25 words
MSG
28 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 3:19?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 3:19 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 3:19 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.