NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 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
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
15 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
15 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD,and you will gain knowledge of God.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours; you'll have come upon the Knowledge of God.
18 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
15 words
ESV
15 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
18 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 2:5?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 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 Proverbs 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.