NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
11 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 4:5 — 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 your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
13 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
39 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Let your gentle [spirit] be known to all men. The Lord is near.
13 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
11 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
39 words
NASB
13 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 4:5?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 4:5 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 4:5 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.