NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
28 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Romans 2:13 — 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 not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
24 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.
24 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.
27 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
for [it is] not the hearers of the Law [who] are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
28 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
24 words
NLT
24 words
MSG
27 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Romans 2:13?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 2:13 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 2:13 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.