1

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed set apart for the good news of God,

2 He promised this long ago through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures.

3 This is about his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who came from the seed of David according to the flesh.

4 He was declared to be the Son of God with power through the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.

5 Through whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, respecting his name.

6 You are among those called to Jesus Christ.

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God and called to be holy ones: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8 First, I thank my God for all of you through Jesus Christ, for your faith is reported throughout the whole world.

9 God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit whole heart and mind in the good news of his Son. Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.

10 I pray that I might by the will of God successfully come to you.

11 I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened,

12 that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

13 I want you to know, brothers, that I was often determined to come to you, but was hindered until now, that I might have some fruit among you as well as the rest of the nations.

14 I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians, both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15 I am ready to preach the good news to you in Rome also.

16 I am not ashamed of the good news; for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who exerts active faith believes , to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 It reveals the righteousness of God from faith-to-faith for it is written: »The righteous shall live by faith.«

18 The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

19 That which is known about God is clear to them, for God revealed it to them.

20 His invisible attributes are clearly seen since the creation of the world. The things made prove His eternal power and divine nature. Mankind has no excuse,

21 for when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God. They did not thank him and were vain in their reasoning, for their foolish hearts were darkened.

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools.

23 They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

24 God gave them up to uncleanness because of the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.

25 They changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up to vile affections for even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature.

27 Also the men left the natural use of the woman and burned in their lust, one toward another; men with men working that which is obscene. They receive full recompense due for their error.

28 They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, so God gave them over to a reprobate depraved mind, to do things that are not fitting.

29 They are filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil mindedness; they are whisperers,

30 backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, and unmerciful.

32 They know the judgment of God, that those who commit such things are worthy of death! And yet, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who do them.

2

1 You who judge have no excuse. For when you judge another you condemn yourself. After all you do the same things.

2 We are sure that the judgment of God, according to truth, is against those who commit such things.

3 What do you reason O man? When you judge these things, and you also do them, do you think that you will escape the judgment of God?

4 Do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering? Do you not know that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

5 Thanks to your stubborn and unrepentant heart, you store up wrath for yourself, in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

6 He will render to each according to his works.

7 He offers everlasting life for those who search for incorruptible glory and honor by enduring in good works.

8 Those who are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will receive wrath and indignation.

9 There will be tribulation and distress on every person who works evil, for the Jew first and for the Greek.

10 There will be glory, honor and peace to every one who does good works, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

11 God is not partial! God does not play favorites!

12 For all who have sinned without law will perish without law. All who have sinned under law will be judged under law.

13 The hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be righteous.

14 When those of the nations, who have no law, practice by nature the things of the law they are a law to themselves even though they do not have any law.

15 They show the work of the law written in their hearts. Their conscience also bears witness, and their thoughts accuse or excuse them.

16 This is in the day when God will judge the secrets of men, according to my good news, by Jesus Christ.

17 If you are a Jew in name and are resting on the law and taking glory in God,

18 you know his will. You approve the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law.

19 And you have confidence that you are a leader of the blind, a light to those in darkness.

20 You are an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law.

21 You then who teach another, do you teach yourself? You who preach not to steal, do you steal?

22 You who say man should not commit adultery do you commit adultery? You who abhors idols do you rob temples?

23 You who boast in the law do you by transgression of the law dishonor God?

24 The name of God is blasphemed on your account among the nations, just as it is written. (Ezekiel 36:20, 21)

25 Circumcision is a benefit if you obey the law. But if you are a transgressor of the law your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.

26 If therefore someone not circumcised obeys the requirements of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be considered circumcision?

27 The uncircumcised person is by nature, fulfilling the law. He will judge you because you transgress the law with your written code and circumcision.

28 He is not a Jew who is one on the outside. Neither is circumcision that which is on the outside in the flesh.

29 But he is a Jew who is so on the inside with circumcision of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

3

1 What then is the superiority of the Jew? What is the benefit of circumcision?

2 Much in every way. First they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

3 For what? If some have not believed, will their unbelief make the faith of God of no effect?

4 Certainly not! But let God be true, and every man false. It is written: So that you should be proved righteous in your words and should overcome when you are judged.

5 If our unrighteousness defines God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? God is not unrighteous when he vents his anger is he? I speak in human terms.

6 Not at all! For how will God judge the world?

7 But what if my untruth serves God’s glory by making his truth stand out more clearly? Why should I be condemned as a sinner?

8 Why not say, »Let us do evil so that good may come?« Some people have insulted me by accusing me of saying this very thing! They should be condemned and they will be.

9 Are we Jews in any better condition than the people of the nations? Not at all! I have already shown that Jews and the people of the nations are all under the power of sin.

10 The Scriptures say: »There is no one who is righteous,

11 »There is no one who has insight. No one seeks God!

12 »All have turned away from God; they have all done wrong. No one does what is right, not even one.« (Psalm 53:3)

13 »Their throat is an open grave. They have practiced deceit with their tongues. The poison of snakes is under their lips.« (Psalm 5:9)

14 »Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.« (Psalm 10:7)

15 »Their feet are swift to shed blood.« (Proverbs 1:15)

16 »Destruction and misery are in their ways.« (Isaiah 59:7)

17 »They have not known the way of peace.« (Isaiah 59:7, 8)

18 There is no respect reverence for God before their eyes. (Psalm 36:1)

19 We know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those under the law. Every mouth may be stopped and the entire world may become liable to God for punishment.

20 No flesh will be justified before God by works of the law. Knowledge of sin comes from the law.

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.

22 God makes people righteous through their active faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all.

23 For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God

24 being justified freely by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

25 God displayed Christ publicly as propitiation atonement by his blood through faith. It demonstrated his righteousness. It was through the forbearance of God that he passed by the sins that had taken place before.

26 It showed his righteousness at this present season that he might himself be righteous, and the justifier of he who has faith in Jesus.

27 Where is the boasting? It is excluded. Is it by law? Is it by works? No, it is by a principle of faith.

28 We reason therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

29 Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the nations also? Yes, of the nations also.

30 If God is one he will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.

31 Do we nullify the law through faith? No we do not! In fact, we establish continue stand by uphold the law.

4

1 What shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?

2 If Abraham was declared righteous by works, he could boast, but not to God.

3 For what does the scriptures say? »Abraham believed Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness.« (Genesis 15:6)

4 The pay is counted to the man who works. It is not as grace but as a debt.

5 He who does not work but believes in him who justifies absolves the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 David also pronounces blessing on the man, to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,

7 saying: »Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 »Blessed is the man to whom, Jehovah will not impute sin.« (Psalm 32:2)

9 Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say: »To Abraham his faith was counted for righteousness.«

10 How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision:

11 He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had while he was not circumcised. That way he could be the father of all those who believe, though they are not circumcised, that righteousness might be counted to them.

12 The father of circumcision to those who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the steps of faith of our father Abraham that he had when he was not circumcised.

13 The promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world was not through the law but through righteousness by faith.

14 If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect.

15 The law produces wrath violent passion indignation . But where there is no law there is no sin.

16 For this reason it is by faith that it may be according to grace divine influence loving-kindness . The promise may be sure to all descendants! This is not only to that which is of the law, but to that also which is by the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

17 It is written: »I have made you a father of many nations.« This was in the presence of God, the one in whom he believed. He gives life to the dead, and calls into being that which does not exist.

18 In hope against hope Abraham believed that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken: »So your descendants will be.«

19 Not being weak in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead he being about a hundred years old , and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

20 Yet, he looked to the promise of God. He did not waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith. He gave the glory to God!

21 He was fully assured that what he had promised, he was able to perform.

22 »It was counted to him as righteousness.«

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was counted to him.

24 It is also for our sake, to whom it shall be counted, who believe in him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

25 who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification acquittal .

5

1 We are justified acquitted made righteous by faith. And we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 We have access to grace God’s favor by faith through him. This is where we stand. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our tribulations knowing that tribulation produces endurance.

4 Tribulation produces an approved condition and an approved condition produces hope.

5 Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts. It comes through Holy Spirit, which is God’s gift to us.

6 While we were yet weak, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die. Perhaps for the good man some one would even dare to die.

8 But God demonstrates commends his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more, now justified by his blood, we will be saved from the wrath of God through him.

10 While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son. Being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.

11 We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation restoration atonement divine favor .

12 Therefore, through one-man sin entered into the world, and death through sin. So death passed to all men, for all have sinned.

13 Until the law sin was in the world. Sin is not imputed put on account when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even for those who had not sinned after the likeness of Adam’s transgression. Adam is in some ways like Christ who came later.

15 But the two are not the same, because God’s gift spiritual endowment is not like Adam’s sin. It is true that many people died because of the sin of that one man. But God’s grace is much greater, and so is his gift to so many people through the loving-kindness of the one man, Jesus Christ.

16 And there is a difference between God’s gift spiritual endowment and the sin of one man. After the one sin, came the guilty judgment; but after so many sins, comes the undeserved gift of righteousness.

17 It was by the transgression of the one that death ruled as king through that one. Even more so shall those who receive the abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, rule as kings in life by the one, Jesus Christ.

18 The result of one trespass was condemnation for all men. The result of righteousness was justification acquittal , which brings life for all men.

19 Through the disobedience of one man many have been made sinners. Yet through the obedience of one man many will be made righteous.

20 The law came that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased God’s loving kindness increased even more.

21 And what for? Just as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

6

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. We died to sin! How could we any longer live in it?

3 Or are you ignorant to the fact that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death. Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, that we might walk in the newness of life.

5 If we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be in the likeness of his resurrection.

6 We know this that our old self was impaled with him that the body of sin might be destroyed, that we should no longer be in bondage to sin.

7 He who has died is freed from sin.

8 If we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.

9 We know that Christ being raised from the dead died no more; death no longer has dominion over him.

10 For the death that he died, he died with reference to sin once. But the life that he lives, he lives to God.

11 Consider yourselves to be dead with reference to sin, but alive with reference to God through Christ Jesus.

12 Let no sin rule in your mortal body, that you should obey the lustful desires.

13 Also do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness. Present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness for God.

14 Sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace.

15 What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid!

16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient servants you are his voluntary servants because you obey him? This could be obedience to sin with death in view or obedience to righteousness with holiness in view?

17 But thanks to God, that you were the servants of sin yet you became obedient from the heart to the teachings delivered to you.

18 After being made free from sin, you became servants of righteousness.

19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. You once presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to sin. Now you present your members as servants to righteousness and sanctification purification holiness .

20 When you were servants of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

21 You are now ashamed of the fruit you had at that time. For the results of these things is death.

22 Now you are free from sin and are servants to God. You have your fruit in holiness, and the end everlasting eternal life.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift from God is everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

7

1 Do you not know, for I speak to men who know the law, that the law has dominion jurisdiction over a man as long as he lives?

2 Law binds the married woman to her husband while he lives. But if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband.

3 So then if, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she will be called an adulteress. If the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man.

4 Brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ; that you should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to God.

5 When we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, worked in our members to bring forth fruit to death.

6 We have been discharged released from the law. We have died to that by which we were held. So we serve in newness of the Spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid! I had not known sin except through the law. For I had not known coveting except the law had said: You should not covet.

8 But sin, finding occasion, worked out in me through the commandment all manner of coveting. Apart from the law sin is dead.

9 I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

10 The commandment, which was to life, this I found to be to death.

11 For sin, finding occasion, through the commandment deceived me, and through it killed me.

12 The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.

13 Did that which is good become death to me? God forbid! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good. This way sin might be shown to be sin. Through the commandment sin could be recognized.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual. But I am fleshly and sold under sin.

15 I do not understand what I am doing. For what I want to do I do not do. What I hate, I do.

16 But if what I do not want to do, I do, I consent to the law that it is right.

17 Now then it is no longer I that do it, but the sin that dwells in me.

18 I know that good does not live in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it.

19 I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do.

20 If I do what I do not want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it. Instead, it is the sin that lives in me.

21 I find that this law is at work. When I want to do what is good, what is evil is the only choice I have.

22 My inner person delights in the law of God.

23 However I see a different law at work in my body. This law fights against the law that my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin that is at work in my body.

24 Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death?

25 Thanks to God, through our Lord Jesus Christ! So then I can serve God’s law only with my mind, while my human nature serves the law of sin.

8

1 Those who live through in union with because of Jesus Christ have no condemnation. They do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

2 The law of the Spirit gives us life through with because of Christ Jesus. It has set me free from the law of sin and death.

3 God did what the Law could not do, because human nature was weak. He sent his own son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering and do away with sin. So he condemned sin in sinful human nature.

4 God did this so that the righteous requirements of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature.

5 They who live according to flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh. They who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

6 The mind of sinful flesh fleshly thought means death; but the mind influenced by the Spirit gives life and peace.

7 This is because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God. It is not subject to the law of God for it cannot be.

8 Those influenced by the sinful flesh cannot please God.

9 But you are not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed God’s Spirit dwells in you. If any one does not have the Spirit of Christ he does not belong to him.

10 If Christ is with you, the body is dead on account of sin, but the Spirit is life on account of righteousness.

11 If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from among the dead dwells with you, he who raised Christ from among the dead shall also make your mortal bodies alive. This is on account of his Spirit that dwells with you.

12 So then, brothers we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to flesh human nature ,

13 for if you live according to flesh, you are about to die. If by the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

14 All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

15 For you have not received a spirit of bondage again causing fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Father, Father! Chaldee: Abba, meaning father .

16 The Spirit itself Greek:autos ho pneuma itself the Spirit bears witness with our spirit mind and heart , that we are children of God.

17 If children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed we suffer with him we may also be glorified with him.

18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation is waiting for the manifestation revelation disclosure of the sons of God.

20 For the creation was subject to corruption, not by it’s own will but by reason of the one who subjected it on the basis of hope.

21 The creation will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and is in pain together until now.

23 We also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption and the release from our bodies by ransom.

24 We are saved by this hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For does a man hope for what he sees?

25 If we hope for what we do not see, do we have patience to wait for it?

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our weaknesses. We do not know what we should pray for, as we should. The Spirit of God makes intercession with groaning that cannot be spoken.

27 So he who searches the hearts knows what is the inclination purpose mind-set of the Spirit of God , because the Spirit makes intercession for the holy ones according to the will of God.

28 We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

29 Those he first recognized, he ordained in advance that they be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30 He ordained in advance the ones he called. He declared righteous the ones he called. He also glorified those he declared righteous.

31 What shall we then say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 He that did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, will he not with him freely give us all things?

33 Who will bring any charge against the ones God has chosen? It is God who justifies makes righteous .

34 Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 It is written: »For your sake we are put to death all day long. We are considered as sheep for the slaughter.« (Psalm 44:22)

37 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians 6:12)

9

1 I tell the truth in Christ. I do not lie! My conscience bears witness with me in Holy Spirit.

2 I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.

3 I could wish that I were accursed separated banned excommunicated from Christ for the good of in behalf of my countrymen and brothers the Jews .

4 They are Israelites and the adoption belongs to them. They have the glory of the covenants. The law was given to them along with the service and promises.

5 The forefathers belong to them from whom came the Christ according to the flesh. God who is over all is blessed forever. Amen.

6 It is not as if the word of God failed. Not all who come from Israel are really Israel.

7 It is not because they are Abraham’s that they are all children, but: »What will be called ‘your seed’ will be through Isaac.« (Genesis 21:12)

8 That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as seed.

9 The word of promise: »According to this time I will come and Sarah will have a son.«

10 Not only that, but Rebecca conceived by Isaac our father.

11 When they had not yet been born nor performed anything good or vile, so the purpose of God regarding the choosing would continue without dependence on works but on the One who calls.

12 She was told: »The older will serve the younger.«

13 It is written: »I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau.«

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? There is not!

15 He says to Moses, »I will show mercy to the one I choose to show mercy, and I will feel compassion for the one I choose to feel compassion.«

16 So then it does not depend on mans will or effort, but on God who shows mercy.

17 The scripture says to Pharaoh: »For this reason I have raised you up, that I might through you, show my power and declare my name in all the earth.«

18 He shows mercy to the one he chooses, and he allows others to be stubborn.

19 You say to me: »Why does he yet find fault? Who resists his purpose will

20 Yes, but you, O man, who are you to answer back to God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it: »Why have you made me this way?« (Isaiah 45:9)

21 Or does the potter not have authority over the clay? Can he make out of the same lump one vessel to honor, and another for common use? (Jeremiah 18:6)

22 If God decided to show his wrath and make his power known, endured with much long-suffering vessels of wrath fit for destruction.

23 In that way he could make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy that he had prepared in advance for glory.

24 We are the ones he has also called, not only from among the Jews, but also from among the nations.

25 He says also in Hosea: »Those who are not my people I will call my people. And she who is not loved I will call loved.«

26 In the place where it was said to them: »You are not my people, they will be called Sons of the living God.« (Hosea 2:23)

27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: »Should the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved.

28 »He is bringing the matter to an end, and cutting it short in righteousness. Jehovah will make an accounting on the earth.« (Isaiah 10:22)

29 Just as Isaiah said earlier: »Unless Jehovah of Hosts had left a seed to us, we should have become like Sodom, and Gomorrah.« (Isaiah 1:9)

30 What shall we say? The nations did not pursue righteousness. Yet they have attained to righteousness, the righteousness that is based on the principle of faith.

31 But Israel, pursuing after a law of righteousness, has not attained to that law.

32 Why? It is because it was not based on the principle of faith, but on that of works. They have stumbled at the stumbling stone.

33 It is written: »Behold, I place in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence and he that believes on him will not be ashamed.« (Isaiah 8:14)

10

1 Brothers, my hearts desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation.

2 I testify that they have zeal for God, but not according to precise and correct knowledge.

3 They are ignorant of God’s righteousness. They seek to establish their own righteousness and have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

4 Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who exerts active faith.

5 Moses writes down the righteousness that is of the law. The man who has practiced those things shall live by them.

6 But the righteousness of faith speaks this way: »Do not say in your heart: ‘who will ascend to heaven? That is, to bring Christ down;

7 or »‘who will descend into the abyss? That is, to bring up Christ from among the dead.’«

8 But what does it say? »The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.« It is the »word« of faith, which we preach. (Deuteronomy 30:8-20)

9 If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and have active faith in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes for righteousness. And with the mouth one declares for salvation.

11 The scripture says: »No one believing on him shall be disappointed.« (Isaiah 28:16)

12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek. The same Lord God of all is abounding in riches for all who call on him.

13 »Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.« (Joel 2:32)

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without someone to preach?

15 How will they preach unless they have been sent? Just as it is written: »How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace and who bring good tidings of good things! For they proclaim salvation and say to Zion: »Your God reigns as king!« Hebrew: Elohiym’ malak’: God rules! (Isaiah 52:7)

16 But they have not all obeyed the good news. For Isaiah says: »Jehovah, who has believed our message?« (Isaiah 53:1)

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word about Christ.

18 I say: Have they not heard? Yes in fact their sound went »into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the inhabited earth.« (Psalm 19:4)

19 I say Israel did not know. First Moses said: »I will provoke you people to rivalry through that which is not a nation, and I will anger you with a foolish nation.« (Deuteronomy 32:21)

20 Isaiah is very bold, and says: »Those who did not seek me found me. I was made manifest to those who did not ask for me.«

21 But to Israel he says: »All day long I have stretched out my hands to a people who are disobedient and self-willed obstinate .« (Isaiah 65:1, 2)

11

1 I ask has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I also am an Israelite, a descendant of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel?

3 »Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life.« (1 Kings 19:14, 18)

4 What does God say in answer to him? »I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.«

5 Even so at this present time there is a remnant chosen according to God’s grace.

6 If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise grace is not grace undeserved kindness . But if it is of works then it is not by grace. Otherwise works are no longer works.

7 What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks. The chosen ones have obtained it, and the rest were blinded rendered stupid hardened made insensitive .

8 It is written, »God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear to this very day.« (Deuteronomy 29:4)

9 David says, »Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and recompense to them.

10 »Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always.« (Psalm 69:23)

11 I ask: Did they stumble and fall? Certainly not! But rather through their fall into sin salvation has come to the nations. This will provoke them to jealousy.

12 Now if their fall into sin means riches to the world, and their decrease means riches of the nations how much more will their full number mean?

13 I speak to you people of the nations. For I am the apostle to the nations and I glorify honor praise celebrate my ministry.

14 If by any means I may provoke those who are of my flesh fellow countrymen , and might save some of them.

15 If their rejection means reconciliation for the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

16 If the first piece is holy, the lump is also holy. If the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 Some of the branches are broken off. You, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them. Therefore you partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree with them.

18 Do not boast against the branches. But if you boast, you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

19 You will say, »The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.«

20 They were broken off because of unbelief! You stand by faith! Do not be conceited but be reverent.

21 God did not spare the natural branches and he will not spare you!

22 Observe both God’s kindness and severity. Severity is for those who fail to continue. But kindness is for you as long as you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you will be cut off.

23 If they do not continue in unbelief they will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again.

24 If you were cut out of the olive tree that is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a garden olive tree: how much more could these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this secret, lest you should be wise in your own conceits estimation . Blindness has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations comes in.

26 In this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: The deliverer will come out of Zion and will remove ungodliness from Jacob.

27 For this is my covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins.

28 Concerning the good news, they are enemies for your sakes. With reference to the chosen ones, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.

29 The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.

30 In times past you have not believed did not obey God. Yet you have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

31 Even so these also do not believe now. Through the mercy shown they also may obtain mercy.

32 For God has stopped all disobedience so he might show mercy to all.

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments. His ways are beyond human understanding!

34 For who has known the mind of Jehovah? Or who has been his counselor? (Isaiah 40:13)

35 Or who has first given to him, that it shall be repaid to him again? (Job 41:11)

36 For from him, and through him, and to him are all things: Glory to him forever! Amen.

12

1 I request urge implore you brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

2 Do not be conformed to this world religious, social, political, and economic arrangement . But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

3 I say through the grace given to me that every man among you should not think more highly of himself than he ought to think. But to think soberly, just as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4 For we have many members in one body and all members do not have the same function.

5 These many members are one body in Christ, and every one, individually, is a member one of the other.

6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace that is given to us. Whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he who teaches on teaching;

8 or he who exhorts; on exhortation; he who gives let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor evil and cling to good.

10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another.

11 Do not lag behind in diligence. Be fervent in spirit serving God.

12 Rejoice in hope! Be patient in tribulation. Continue in prayer.

13 Contribute to the needs of the holy ones and practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16 Be of the same mind as others. Do not think lofty things but be led along by lowly things. Do not be wise in your own conceit self-love vanity estimation .

17 Return evil for evil to no man. Provide honest things in the sight of all men.

18 When it is possible, be peaceable with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, do not avenge yourselves, instead leave room for divine punishment, for it is written: Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah. (Deuteronomy 32:35)

20 Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he thirsts, give him drink. For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Do not be evil, but overcome evil with good.

13

1 Let every person be subject to superior authorities. For there is no authority except by God. God allows the authorities to serve in their positions.

2 Whoever opposes the authority resists the ordinance of God. Those who resist will receive judgment.

3 For rulers are objects of fear, not to good works, but to the evil. Will you not have respect for the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from it.

4 He is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid for he does not bear the sword in vain. He is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.

5 You must be in subjection, not only because of that wrath, but also for the sake of your conscience.

6 That is why you pay taxes. They are God’s ministers continually serving this very purpose.

7 Render therefore to all their due. Provide tribute to whom tribute is due. Give custom to whom custom is owed. Render fear to whom fear is owed and offer honor to whom honor is deserved.

8 Owe no man any thing but to love one another. He that loves another has fulfilled obeyed the law.

9 For the Law code says: You must not commit adultery, you must not murder, you must not steal, you must not bear false witness, and you must not covet. If there is any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying; namely, you must love your neighbor as yourself.

10 Love works no ill to his neighbor. Therefore love is the law’s fulfillment.

11 You know the time. It is the hour for you to awake from sleep. Now our salvation is nearer than when we became believers.

12 The night is far along and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

13 Let us walk honestly as in the daytime, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and loose conduct, not in strife and jealousy.

14 Put on live like clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not make provision for the desires of the flesh.

14

1 Accept the man who has a weak faith, but not to entertain doubtful thinking.

2 For one believes that he may eat all things. Another who is weak eats only vegetables.

3 Let the one eating not look down on the one not eating. Let the one who does not eat judge him that eats, for God has received him.

4 Who are you to judge another man’s servant? He stands or falls before his own master. Yes, he will be made to stand for God can make him stand.

5 One person judges one day above another. Another person judges every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6 He who regards the day regards it to God and he who does not regard the day does not regard it to God. He, who eats, eats to God, for he gives God thanks. He who does not eat does not eat to God and he gives God thanks.

7 For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself.

8 For if we live, we live to God and if we die, we die to God. Therefore should we live or die, we are God’s.

9 To this end Christ both died, and rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and the living.

10 Why do you judge your brother? Why do you look down on your brother with contempt? We will all stand before the judgment seat of God Theos .

11 It is written: As I live, says Jehovah, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will acknowledge confess to Jehovah. (Isaiah 45:23)

12 So then every one of us will give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not judge one another any more. Let no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean in itself. If someone thinks something is unclean it is unclean to him.

15 If because of your food your brother is grieved, you do not walk in love. Do not allow what you eat to destroy the one for whom Christ died.

16 Do not let the good you do be spoken of as evil.

17 For the kingdom of God is not food and drink; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 For he that serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of by men.

19 Let us follow after the things that make for peace, and things that are encouraging to one another.

20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offense.

21 It is good neither to eat food, nor to drink wine, nor any thing that causes your brother to stumble or be offended and weakened.

22 Do you have faith? Have it for yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in that thing that he allows.

23 He that doubts is damned if he eats, because he eats not by faith. Whatever is not by faith is sin!

15

1 We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should not just please ourselves.

2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up.

3 For even Christ did not please himself. However it is written, »The reproaches insults hurled at you have fallen on me.« (Psalm 69:9)

4 The things written in earlier times were written for our instruction, that we through endurance and the encouragement from the Scriptures might have hope.

5 Now may the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.

6 To this end you may glorify God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one accord language united expression .

7 Receive one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcised for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers.

9 That the nations might glorify God for his mercy as it is written: »For this cause I will confess you to the people of the nations, and sing to your name.«

10 And again he says: »Rejoice, you nations, with his people.« (Deuteronomy 32:43)

11 And again: »Praise Jehovah, all you nations; and laud him, all you people.« (Psalm 117:1)

12 And again, Isaiah says: »Then in that day the nations will search for and turn to the root of Jesse. He will stand as a signal for the peoples. His resting place will be glorious.« (Isaiah 11:10)

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

14 I am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

15 Nevertheless, brothers, I have written more boldly to you on some points, keeping you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me from God,

16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the nations, ministering the good news of God, that the offering of these nations might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17 I glory in Jesus Christ in my service to God.

18 I will not dare to speak of any of those things that Christ has not accomplished through me. I will lead the nations to obey God in word and deed.

19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. From Jerusalem, and round about Illyricum, I have fully preached the good news of Christ.

20 I have strived to preach the good news, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:

21 It is written, »To whom he was not announced, they shall see: and those who have not heard shall understand.« (Isaiah 52:15)

22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

23 I have no more places to go in these parts, and have a great desire these many years to come to you.

24 When I take my journey to Spain, I will come to you. I trust to see you in my journey, and to be escorted on my way by you, after I have been satisfied with your company.

25 Now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the holy ones.

26 It pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor holy ones in Jerusalem.

27 It pleased them to do so and they are debtors for this. If the nations have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in physical things.

28 After I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come to you in Spain.

29 I am sure that, when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the good news of Christ.

30 Now I beg you, brothers, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.

31 That I may be delivered from those who do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted by the holy ones.

32 That I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

16

1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a minister of the congregation at Cenchrea.

2 Receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones. Assist her in whatever business she has need of from you. She has been a great help to many people including me.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus.

4 They have risked their own necks for my life. I not only thank them but also the congregations of the nations give thanks.

5 Likewise greet the congregation that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is of the first fruits converts of Asia to Christ.

6 Greet Mary for she labored much to help us.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junia. They are my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners who are well known among the apostles. They were in Christ before me.

8 Greet Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbane for he is our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them that are of Aristobulus’ household.

11 Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus, for they are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.

13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brothers that are with them.

15 Greet Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the holy ones with them.

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The congregations of Christ greet you.

17 Now I beseech you, brothers, mark those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine you have learned and avoid them.

18 They do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unaware.

19 Your obedience has come to our attention abroad. I am glad therefore on your behalf. Yet I would have you wise to that which is good and simple concerning evil.

20 The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

21 Timothy my coworker and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my relative, salute you.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, salute you in the Lord.

23 Gaius my host and the whole congregation, salutes you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you, and Quartus a brother.

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my good news, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the secret, which was kept secret since the world began.

26 It is now made known by the Scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God. It is made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.

27 To God, wise alone, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.