NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 2:20 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
So follow the steps of the good,and stay on the paths of the righteous.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
So—join the company of good men and women, keep your feet on the tried and true paths.
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
So you will walk in the way of good men And keep to the paths of the righteous.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 2:20?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 2:20 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 Proverbs 2:20 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.