Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
31 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
King James Version · 1611
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
22 words · Formal / word-for-word
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
23 words · Essentially literal
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
36 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
The Message · 2002
God's way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: "The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives."
32 words · Contemporary paraphrase
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For in it [the] righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'BUT THE RIGHTEOUS [man] SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.'
25 words · Most literal English translation
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 1:17 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).
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.
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.