Colossians 2 – Compare Chapter Translations

Verse-by-verse comparison of Colossians 2 across supported Bible translations.

Verse 1

KJV For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

ASV For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

WEB For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

YLT For I wish you to know how great a conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,

DRB For I would have you know what manner of care I have for you and for them that are at Laodicea and whosoever have not seen my face in the flesh:

DBY For I would have you know what combat I have for you, and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in flesh;

GNV For I woulde ye knewe what great fighting I haue for your sakes, and for them of Laodicea, and for as many as haue not seene my person in the flesh,

LSB For I want you to understand how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not seen my face in the flesh,

Verse 2

KJV That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

ASV that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, [even] Christ,

WEB that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

YLT that their hearts may be comforted, being united in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of the understanding, to the full knowledge of the secret of the God and Father, and of the Christ,

DRB That their hearts may be comforted, being instructed in charity and unto all riches of fulness of understanding, unto the knowledge of the mystery of God the Father and of Christ Jesus:

DBY to the end that their hearts may be encouraged, being united together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to [the] full knowledge of the mystery of God;

GNV That their heartes might be comforted, and they knit together in loue, and in all riches of the full assurance of vnderstanding, to know the mysterie of God, euen the Father, and of Christ:

LSB so that their hearts may be encouraged, having been held together in love, even unto all the wealth of the full assurance of understanding, unto the full knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,

Verse 3

KJV In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

ASV in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

WEB in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

YLT in whom are all the treasures of the wisdom and the knowledge hid,

DRB In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

DBY in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge.

GNV In whom are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge.

LSB in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Verse 4

KJV And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

ASV This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

WEB Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

YLT and this I say, that no one may beguile you in enticing words,

DRB Now this I say, that no man may deceive you by loftiness of words.

DBY And I say this to the end that no one may delude you by persuasive speech.

GNV And this I say, lest any man shoulde beguile you with entising wordes:

LSB I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.

Verse 5

KJV For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

ASV For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

WEB For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

YLT for if even in the flesh I am absent--yet in the spirit I am with you, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in regard to Christ;

DRB For though I be absent in body, yet in spirit I am with you, rejoicing, and beholding your order and the steadfastness of your faith which is in Christ.

DBY For if indeed in the flesh I am absent, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

GNV For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, reioycing and beholding your order, and your stedfast faith in Christ.

LSB For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the stability of your faith in Christ.

Verse 6

KJV As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

ASV As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk in him,

WEB As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him,

YLT as, then, ye did receive Christ Jesus the Lord, in him walk ye,

DRB As therefore you have received Jesus Christ the Lord, walk ye in him:

DBY As therefore ye have received the Christ, Jesus the Lord, walk in him,

GNV As ye haue therefore receiued Christ Iesus the Lord, so walke in him,

LSB Therefore as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

Verse 7

KJV Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

ASV rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

WEB rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.

YLT being rooted and built up in him, and confirmed in the faith, as ye were taught--abounding in it in thanksgiving.

DRB Rooted and built up in him and confirmed in the faith, as also you have learned: abounding in him in thanksgiving.

DBY rooted and built up in him, and assured in the faith, even as ye have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

GNV Rooted and built in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye haue bene taught, abouding therein with thankesgiuing.

LSB having been firmly rooted and being built up in Him, and having been established in your faith—just as you were instructed—and abounding with thanksgiving.

Verse 8

KJV Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

ASV Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:

WEB Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.

YLT See that no one shall be carrying you away as spoil through the philosophy and vain deceit, according to the deliverance of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ,

DRB Beware lest any man cheat you by philosophy and vain deceit: according to the tradition of men according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ.

DBY See that there be no one who shall lead *you* away as a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.

GNV Beware lest there be any man that spoile you through philosophie, and vaine deceit, through the traditions of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

LSB See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Verse 9

KJV For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

ASV for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,

WEB For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily,

YLT because in him doth tabernacle all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,

DRB For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead corporeally.

DBY For in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;

GNV For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily.

LSB For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells bodily,

Verse 10

KJV And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

ASV and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:

WEB and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power;

YLT and ye are in him made full, who is the head of all principality and authority,

DRB And you are filled in him, who is the head of all principality and power.

DBY and ye are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and authority,

GNV And yee are complete in him, which is the head of all principalitie and power.

LSB and in Him you have been filled, who is the head over all rule and authority;

Verse 11

KJV In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

ASV in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

WEB in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

YLT in whom also ye were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh in the circumcision of the Christ,

DRB In whom also you are circumcised with circumcision not made by hand in despoiling of the body of the flesh: but in the circumcision of Christ.

DBY in whom also ye have been circumcised with circumcision not done by hand, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of the Christ;

GNV In whome also yee are circumcised with circumcision made without handes, by putting off the sinfull body of the flesh, through the circumcision of Christ,

LSB in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ,

Verse 12

KJV Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

ASV having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

WEB having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

YLT being buried with him in the baptism, in which also ye rose with <FI>him<Fi> through the faith of the working of God, who did raise him out of the dead.

DRB Buried with him in baptism: in whom also you are risen again by the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him up from the dead.

DBY buried with him in baptism, in which ye have been also raised with [him] through faith of the working of God who raised him from among the dead.

GNV In that yee are buried with him through baptisme, in whome ye are also raised vp together through the faith of the operation of God, which raised him from the dead.

LSB having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Verse 13

KJV And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

ASV And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, [I say], did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;

WEB You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

YLT And you--being dead in the trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh--He made alive together with him, having forgiven you all the trespasses,

DRB And you, when you were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he hath quickened together with him, forgiving you all offences:

DBY And you, being dead in offences and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has quickened together with him, having forgiven us all the offences;

GNV And you which were dead in sinnes, and in the vncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, forgiuing you all your trespasses,

LSB And you being dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him, having graciously forgiven us all our transgressions.

Verse 14

KJV Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

ASV having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out that way, nailing it to the cross;

WEB wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;

YLT having blotted out the handwriting in the ordinances that is against us, that was contrary to us, and he hath taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross;

DRB Blotting out the handwriting of the decree that was against us, which was contrary to us. And he hath taken the same out of the way, fastening it to the cross.

DBY having effaced the handwriting in ordinances which [stood out] against us, which was contrary to us, he has taken it also out of the way, having nailed it to the cross;

GNV And putting out the hand writing of ordinances that was against vs, which was contrarie to vs, hee euen tooke it out of the way, and fastened it vpon the crosse,

LSB Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us which was hostile to us, He also has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Verse 15

KJV And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

ASV having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

WEB having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

YLT having stripped the principalities and the authorities, he made a shew of them openly--having triumphed over them in it.

DRB And despoiling the principalities and powers, he hath exposed them confidently in open shew, triumphing over them in himself.

DBY having spoiled principalities and authorities, he made a show of them publicly, leading them in triumph by it.

GNV And hath spoyled the Principalities, and Powers, and hath made a shew of them openly, and hath triumphed ouer them in the same crosse.

LSB Having disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them in Him.

Verse 16

KJV Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

ASV Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:

WEB Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,

YLT Let no one, then, judge you in eating or in drinking, or in respect of a feast, or of a new moon, or of sabbaths,

DRB Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of a festival day or of the new moon or of the sabbaths,

DBY Let none therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in matter of feast, or new moon, or sabbaths,

GNV Let no man therefore condemne you in meate and drinke, or in respect of an holy day, or of the newe moone, or of the Sabbath dayes,

LSB Therefore, no one is to judge you in food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—

Verse 17

KJV Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

ASV which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ`s.

WEB which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.

YLT which are a shadow of the coming things, and the body <FI>is<Fi> of the Christ;

DRB Which are a shadow of things to come: but the body is of Christ.

DBY which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ.

GNV Which are but a shadowe of thinges to come: but the body is in Christ.

LSB things which are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

Verse 18

KJV Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

ASV Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

WEB Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

YLT let no one beguile you of your prize, delighting in humble-mindedness and <FI>in<Fi> worship of the messengers, intruding into the things he hath not seen, being vainly puffed up by the mind of his flesh,

DRB Let no man seduce you, willing in humility and religion of angels, walking in the things which he hath not seen, in vain puffed up by the sense of his flesh:

DBY Let no one fraudulently deprive you of your prize, doing his own will in humility and worship of angels, entering into things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by the mind of his flesh,

GNV Let no man at his pleasure beare rule ouer you by humblenesse of minde, and worshipping of Angels, aduauncing himselfe in those thinges which hee neuer sawe, rashly puft vp with his fleshly minde,

LSB Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, going into detail about visions he has seen, being puffed up for nothing by his fleshly mind,

Verse 19

KJV And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

ASV and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increasing with the increase of God.

WEB and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth.

YLT and not holding the head, from which all the body--through the joints and bands gathering supply, and being knit together--may increase with the increase of God.

DRB And not holding the head, from which the whole body, by joints and bands, being supplied with nourishment and compacted, groweth into the increase of God.

DBY and not holding fast the head, from whom all the body, ministered to and united together by the joints and bands, increases with the increase of God.

GNV And holdeth not the head, whereof all the body furnished and knit together by ioyntes and bands, increaseth with the increasing of God.

LSB and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Verse 20

KJV Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

ASV If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances,

WEB If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,

YLT If, then, ye did die with the Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances?

DRB If then you be dead with Christ from the elements of this world, why do you yet decree as though living in the world?

DBY If ye have died with Christ from the elements of the world, why as [if] alive in [the] world do ye subject yourselves to ordinances?

GNV Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the ordinances of the world, why, as though ye liued in ye world, are ye burdened with traditions?

LSB If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees:

Verse 21

KJV (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

ASV Handle not, nor taste, nor touch

WEB “Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch”

YLT --thou mayest not touch, nor taste, nor handle--

DRB Touch not: taste not: handle not.

DBY Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch,

GNV As, Touch not, Taste not, Handle not.

LSB “Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch”?

Verse 22

KJV Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

ASV (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men?

WEB (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men?

YLT which are all for destruction with the using, after the commands and teachings of men,

DRB Which all are unto destruction by the very use, according to the precepts and doctrines of men.

DBY (things which are all for destruction in the using [of them]:) according to the injunctions and teachings of men,

GNV Which al perish with the vsing, and are after the commandements and doctrines of men.

LSB Which deal with everything destined to perish with use, which are in accordance with the commands and teachings of men;

Verse 23

KJV Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

ASV Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; [but are] not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

WEB Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

YLT which are, indeed, having a matter of wisdom in will-worship, and humble-mindedness, and neglecting of body--not in any honour, unto a satisfying of the flesh.

DRB Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in superstition and humility, and not sparing the body; not in any honour to the filling of the flesh.

DBY (which have indeed an appearance of wisdom in voluntary worship, and humility, and harsh treatment of the body, not in a certain honour,) to [the] satisfaction of the flesh.

GNV Which thinges haue in deede a shewe of wisdome, in voluntarie religion and humblenesse of minde, and in not sparing the body, which are thinges of no valewe, sith they perteine to the filling of the flesh.

LSB which are matters having, to be sure, a word of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.