Comparing 2 Corinthians 5:21

God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God’s approval through him.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Meaning-for-Meaning (Closest Natural Equivalence)

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
King James Version (KJV)
Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)

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God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
New International Version (NIV)
Thought-for-Thought (Functional Equivalence)

For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!
The Living Bible (TLB)
Paraphrase (Retelling)

Visit our Bible Translation Guide for more information about the major differences between the clear, natural English of God’s Word and other translations.