NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
21 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Romans 2:22 — 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 that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
21 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
21 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?
25 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
The same with adultery. The same with idolatry.
8 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
21 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
21 words
KJV
21 words
ESV
21 words
NLT
25 words
MSG
8 words
NASB
21 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Romans 2:22?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 2:22 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 2:22 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.