Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
30 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
King James Version · 1611
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; <sup>to retain: or, to acknowledge</sup> <sup>a reprobate: or, a mind void of judgment or, an unapproving mind</sup>
46 words · Formal / word-for-word
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
26 words · Essentially literal
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.
25 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
The Message · 2002
Since they didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose.
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,
29 words · Most literal English translation
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 1:28 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.