NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Romans 2:21 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?
21 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you? I'm quite serious. While preaching "Don't steal!" are you going to rob people blind? Who would suspect you?
29 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?
21 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
21 words
MSG
29 words
NASB
21 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Romans 2:21?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 2:21 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 2:21 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.