NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Romans 2:23 — 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 makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
15 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.
15 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law.
19 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
15 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
15 words
MSG
19 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Romans 2:23?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 2:23 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 2:23 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.