NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Romans 1:26 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
25 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;
23 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.
29 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Worse followed. Refusing to know God, they soon didn't know how to be human either—women didn't know how to be women, men didn't know how to be men.
28 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,
22 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
19 words
KJV
25 words
ESV
23 words
NLT
29 words
MSG
28 words
NASB
22 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Romans 1:26?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 1:26 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 Romans 1:26 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.