NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Romans 3:23 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
12 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us,
30 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
12 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
12 words
MSG
30 words
NASB
12 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Romans 3:23?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 3:23 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 3:23 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.