Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,
31 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
King James Version · 1611
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
28 words · Formal / word-for-word
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
30 words · Essentially literal
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.
25 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
The Message · 2002
When outsiders who have never heard of God's law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience.
23 words · Contemporary paraphrase
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
26 words · Most literal English translation
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 2:14 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.