NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
26 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 4:1 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
21 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
21 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
34 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don't waver. Stay on track, steady in God.
36 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long [to see], my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
26 words
KJV
21 words
ESV
21 words
NLT
34 words
MSG
36 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 4:1?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 4:1 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 4:1 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.