NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.
17 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Romans 4:2 — 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 if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
16 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
17 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way.
24 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
If Abraham, by what he did for God, got God to approve him, he could certainly have taken credit for it. But the story we're given is a God-story, not an Abraham-story.
32 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
17 words
KJV
16 words
ESV
17 words
NLT
24 words
MSG
32 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Romans 4:2?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 4:2 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 4:2 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.