NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
31 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 2:12 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
31 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
27 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry,and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities —for his anger flares up in an instant.But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
38 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Kiss Messiah! Your very lives are in danger, you know; His anger is about to explode, But if you make a run for God—you won't regret it!
27 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish [in] the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
32 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
31 words
KJV
31 words
ESV
27 words
NLT
38 words
MSG
27 words
NASB
32 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 2:12?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 2:12 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 Psalms 2:12 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.