NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;
21 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Romans 2:9 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; <sup>Gentile: Gr. Greek</sup>
23 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
20 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil — for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.
25 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
If you go against the grain, you get splinters, regardless of which neighborhood you're from, what your parents taught you, what schools you attended.
24 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
[There will be] tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
21 words
KJV
23 words
ESV
20 words
NLT
25 words
MSG
24 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Romans 2:9?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 2:9 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 2:9 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.