2 Samuel 14:20 — Compare Translations

27 translations compared side by side

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

in order to bring round the appearance of the thing hath thy servant Joab done this thing, and my lord [is] wise, according to the wisdom of a messenger of God, to know all that [is] in the land.`

English ASV

to change the face of the matter hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

English Amplified

In order to change the course of matters [between Absalom and his father] your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God--to know all things that are on the earth.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

In order to change the course of matters [between Absalom and his father] your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God–to know all things that are on the earth.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

Joab your servant has done this to bring about this change of affairs, but my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that happens in the land.”

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

Joab your servant has done this to address the issue indirectly, but my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God, knowing everything on earth.”

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

in order to turn the appearance of the thing has thy servant Joab done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all that is in the earth.

English EASY 2024

He did it because he wanted things to be different. But you, my lord, are as wise as one of God's angels. You know everything that happens in our land.’

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

Joab did this so that you would see things differently. My lord, you are as wise as God's angel. You know everything that happens on earth."

In order to change the course of things your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth."

English GNT (Good News Translation)

But he did it in order to straighten out this whole matter. Your Majesty is as wise as the angel of God and knows everything that happens.”

English God's Word - GW 1995

Your servant Joab has done this to portray the matter in a different light. You are as wise as God's Messenger, who knows everything on earth."

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

Joab your servant has done this to address the issue indirectly, but my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the Angel of God, knowing everything on earth."

English KJV 1611

To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

English LSB

in order to change the appearance of things your servant Joab has done this thing. But my lord is wise, like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know all that is in the earth.”

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

In order to change this situation, your servant Joab did this thing, but my lord is wise, as with the wisdom of the angel of God, so as to discern everything happening in the land.”

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

in order to change the appearance of things your servant Joab has done this thing. But my lord is wise, like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know all that is in the earth."

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

Your servant Joab did this to come at the issue in a roundabout way. But my lord is as wise as an angel of God, so that he knows all things on earth."

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

Your servant Joab did this so as to change this situation. But my lord has wisdom like that of the angel of God, and knows everything that is happening in the land.”

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

He did it to change the way things now are. You are as wise as an angel of God. You know everything that happens in the land."

English NIV

Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. My lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God-he knows everything that happens in the land."

English NKJ 1982

To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth.”

English NLT

He did it to place the matter before you in a different light. But you are as wise as an angel of God, and you understand everything that happens among us!"

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

In order to change the course of affairs your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth."

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

In order to change the course of affairs your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth.”

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

He did it in order to place the matter before you in a different light. But you are as wise as an angel of God, and you know everything that happens!“

English Tyndale 1537

And the turning of my tale another way, that made thy servant Joab. And so I see that my lord is wise even as an Angel of God, to understand all things that are in the earth.