2 Samuel 5:23 — Compare Translations

27 translations compared side by side

When David inquired of the Lord, He said, You shall not go up, but go around behind them and come upon them over opposite the mulberry (or balsam) trees.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

When David inquired of the Lord, He said, You shall not go up, but go around behind them and come upon them over opposite the mulberry (or balsam) trees.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

So David inquired of the Lord, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

So David inquired of the LORD, and he answered, “Do not attack directly, but circle around behind them and come at them opposite the balsam trees.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

And David inquired of Jehovah; and he said, Thou shalt not go up; turn round behind them and come upon them opposite the mulberry-trees.

English EASY 2024

So David again asked the Lord what he should do. This time the Lord said, ‘Do not march straight towards them. Instead, go round behind them. Then attack them from the other side, where the poplar trees are.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

David prayed to the Lord. This time the Lord told him, "Don't go up the valley. Go around them to the other side of their army. Attack them from the other side of the balsam trees.

And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

Once more David consulted the Lord, who answered, “Don't attack them from here, but go around and get ready to attack them from the other side, near the balsam trees.

English God's Word - GW 1995

David asked the Lord, and he answered, "Don't attack now, but circle around behind them, and come at them in front of the balsam trees.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

So David inquired of the Lord, and He answered, "Do not make a frontal assault. Circle around behind them and attack them opposite the balsam trees.

English KJV 1611

And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

English LSB

So David asked of Yahweh, and He said, “You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

When David inquired of the Lord, He said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

When David inquired of the LORD, He said, "You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.

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

So David inquired of the LORD, who replied: "You must not attack frontally, but circle their rear and meet them before the mastic trees.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

So David asked the LORD what he should do. This time the LORD said to him, “Don’t march straight up. Instead, circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees.

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

So David asked the Lord for advice. The Lord answered, "Do not go straight up. Instead, circle around behind them. Attack them in front of the balsam trees.

English NIV

so David inquired of the LORD, and he answered, "Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.

English NKJ 1982

Therefore David inquired of the Lord, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.

English NLT

And once again David asked the LORD what to do. "Do not attack them straight on," the LORD replied. "Instead, circle around behind them and attack them near the balsam trees.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

When David inquired of the LORD, he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come upon them opposite the balsam trees.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come upon them opposite the balsam trees.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

When David asked the Lord what to do, he replied, “Don't make a frontal attack. Go behind them and come out by the balsam trees.

English Tyndale 1537

And David asked the LORD, and he said go not. But compass them on the back side and come down upon them from the Peretrees.