NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
The Jews and the Law Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God;
26 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Romans 2:17 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God
16 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
If you're brought up Jewish, don't assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you're an insider to God's revelation,
31 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
But if you bear the name 'Jew ' and rely upon the Law and boast in God,
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
26 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
16 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
31 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Romans 2:17?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 2:17 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).
Which translation of Romans 2:17 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.