NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 2:7 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
He's a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere.
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; [He is] a shield to those who walk in integrity,
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 2:7?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 2:7 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 2:7 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.