NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.
19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Romans 4:4 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
15 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift.
21 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.
19 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
19 words
KJV
15 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
21 words
NASB
19 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Romans 4:4?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 4:4 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 4:4 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.