1 "
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, "
2 " which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy scriptures, "
3 " concerning His Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, "
4 " who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord, "
5 " through whom we received grace and apostleship, to obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake. "
6 Among whom are you also called to be Jesus Christ's.
7 " To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. "
8 " First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. "
9 " For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers "
10 " making request, if by any means now at length I may succeed by the will of God to come to you. "
11 " For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to strengthen you. "
12 " That is: that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. "
13 " And I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that oftentimes I intended to come to you (but have so far been hindered), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles. "
14 " I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. "
15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God to salvation to everyone that believes- to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith to faith. As it is written: But the righteous shall live by faith.
18 " For the anger of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness. "
19 Because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it to them.
20 " For the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made- even His everlasting power and Divinity- that they may be without excuse. "
21 " For although they knew God, they did not honour Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. "
22 " Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, "
23 " and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and fourfooted animals, and creeping things. "
24 " Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonoured among themselves, "
25 " because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. "
26 For this cause God gave them up to vile passions. Their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature.
27 " And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness and receiving in themselves that reward of their error which was due. "
28 " And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not appropriate, "
29 " being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; "
30 " whisperers, backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, proud, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, "
31 " without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful. "
32 " Who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also give approval to them that practise them.
"
1 "
Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are that judge; for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself! For you that judge practise the same things. "
2 And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those that practise such things.
3 And do you think (O man who judges those that practise such things and yet you do the same) that you shall escape the judgment of God?
4 " Or do you despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? "
5 " But after your hardness and impenitent heart you treasure up for yourself anger in the day of anger and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, "
6 who will render to every man according to his works.
7 To them that by patience in welldoing seek for glory and honour and incorruption- eternal life.
8 " But to them that are factious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness, anger and indignation- "
9 " tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that works evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek. "
10 " But glory and honour and peace to every man that works good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. "
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned outside of law shall also perish without the law; and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law.
13 " For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. "
14 " For when Gentiles that do not have the law, do by nature the things of the law, these not having the law, are the law to themselves- "
15 " in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them "
16 " in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
"
17 " But if you bear the name of a Jew and rely upon the law and boast in God, "
18 " and know His will and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, "
19 " and are confident you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light to those that are in darkness, "
20 " a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth- "
21 " you therefore that teach another, don't you teach yourself? You that preach a man should not steal, do you steal? "
22 " You that say a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You that dread idols, do you rob temples? "
23 You who boast in the law actually dishonour God through your transgression of the law.
24 " For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, even as it is written. "
25 " For circumcision indeed profits, if you be a doer of the law; but if you be a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. "
26 " If therefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? "
27 " And shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge you- who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law? "
28 " For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh. "
29 " But he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men but of God.
"
1
What advantage then has the Jew? Or what is the profit of circumcision?
2 " Much every way! First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. "
3 For what if some were without faith? Shall their lack of faith make of no effect the faithfulness of God?
4 " God forbid. Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written: You must be justified in Your words and must prevail when You come before judgment. "
5 " But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visits with anger? (I speak after the manner of men). "
6 God forbid. For then how shall God judge the world?
7 " But if the truth of God through my lie abounded to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? "
8 And why not do evil that good may come? (As some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just).
9 " What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin. "
10 " As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one. "
11 There are none that understand. There are none that seek God.
12 " They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable, there is none that does good, no, not so much as one. "
13 " Their throat is an open tomb, with their tongues they have used deceit, the poison of asps is under their lips, "
14 whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
15 " Their feet are swift to shed blood, "
16 destruction and misery are in their ways
17 and the way of peace have they not known;
18 there is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 " Now we know that whatever things the law said, it speaks to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God. "
20 Because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21 " But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets- "
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all them that believe. For there is no distinction.
23 " For all have sinned, and all fall short of the glory of God; "
24 but are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
25 " Whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to show His righteousness in the passing over of the sins done previously, in the forbearance of God, "
26 " for the showing of His righteousness at this present time; that He might Himself be just, and the justifier of him that has faith in Jesus. "
27 " Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith! "
28 We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
29 " Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, "
30 since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised by faith.
31 " Do we then make the law of no effect through faith? God forbid. No, we establish the law.
"
1 "
What then shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? "
2 " If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. "
3 " What did the scripture say: And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. "
4 " Now to him that works, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. "
5 " But to him that works not, but believes in Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. "
6 " Even as David pronounces blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works, saying: "
7 " Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. "
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not count sin.
9 " Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say, to Abraham his faith was counted as righteousness. "
10 How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision but in uncircumcision.
11 " And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be counted to them also. "
12 " And the father of circumcision to those who are not only of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had whilst he was uncircumcised. "
13 " For the promise to Abraham and his seed, that he should be heir of the world, did not come through the law- but through the righteousness of faith. "
14 " For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no power. "
15 " For the law works anger; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression. "
16 " Therefore it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed. Not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all "
17 " (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made you) before Him whom he believed, God, who gives life to the dead, and called things that are not, as though they were. "
18 " Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to what had been spoken: So shall your seed be. "
19 " And without being weakened in faith when he considered his own body, now as good as dead (he being about one hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb; "
20 " but instead, looking to the promise of God, he did not waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, "
21 " and became fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform. "
22 Therefore also it was counted to him for righteousness.
23 " Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was counted to him; "
24 " but for our sake also, 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.
"
1 "
Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; "
2 through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and in which we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 " More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, "
4 " and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, "
5 " and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. "
6 " For while we were yet weak, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. "
7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous man! Perhaps for the good man some one would even dare to die.
8 " But God commends His own love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. "
9 " Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from the anger of God through him. "
10 " For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. "
11 " And not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
"
12 " So through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, for that all sinned. "
13 " For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law! "
14 " Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come. "
15 " But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. "
16 This gift is unlike the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment came because of one man to condemnation; but the free gift came out of many trespasses to justification.
17 " For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned on account of the one man; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life on account of the one man, Jesus Christ. "
18 " So then. As through one act of sin the judgment came to all men to condemnation, even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came to all men to justification of life. "
19 " For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one man shall the many be made righteous. "
20 " Now the law was added to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, "
21 " so that as sin reigned with the result of death, even so might grace reign through righteousness with the result of eternal life-through Jesus Christ our Lord.
"
1 "
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? "
2 " God forbid! We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live in it? "
3 Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4 " We were buried therefore with him through a baptism into his death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. "
5 " For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection. "
6 " Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin. "
7 For he that has died is set free from sin.
8 " But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. "
9 " Knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him. "
10 " For the death that he died, he died to sin once, but the life that he lives, he lives to God. "
11 " Even so count yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
A Change of Masters- From Sin to Christ"
12 " Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey the lusts of it. "
13 " Neither present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead; and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. "
14 " For sin shall 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 to whom you present yourselves as slaves to obedience, his slaves you are whom you obey? Whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? "
17 " But thanks be to God, that whereas you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching which was delivered to you. "
18 " And being made free from sin, you became slaves to righteousness. "
19 " I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your human nature; but as you presented your limbs as slaves of uncleanness and iniquity, now present your limbs as slaves of righteousness unto holiness. "
20 " For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. "
21 What fruit had you at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the result of those things is death.
22 " But now being made free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit unto holiness- and the result is eternal life. "
23 " For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
"
1 "
Or are you ignorant brothers (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man for as long as he lives? "
2 " For the woman that has a husband is bound by law to the 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 be joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man. "
4 " Therefore my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; so that you should be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to God. "
5 " For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, worked in our limbs to bring forth fruit to death. "
6 " But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that wherein we were held; so that 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! However, I had not known sin, except through the law. For I had not known coveting, except the law had said: You shall not covet. "
8 " But sin, grabbing an opportunity through the commandment, worked in me all manner of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead and powerless. "
9 " And I once was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. "
10 " And the commandment, which was intended to life, this I found to be to death. "
11 " For sin, grabbing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it- slew me. "
12 " Thus the law is holy and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. "
13 " Did then that which is good become death to me? God forbid! But sin was shown to be sin, by the way it worked death in me through that which is good; and thus through the commandment, sin became shown as indeed exceedingly sinful."
14 "Paul's Struggle with Sin
For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold unto sin. "
15 " For why I do what I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I intend, but instead I do what I hate. "
16 " But if I do what I would rather not do, then I agree that the law is good. "
17 " So now it is not I that do it, but the sin which dwells in me. "
18 " For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For the will to do good is present with me; but to actually do what is good is not present. "
19 " For the good which I would like to do I do not do, but the evil which I would not do, that I practice. "
20 " But if do what I would not wish to do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. "
21 " So I find then a principle, that evil is present, although I wish to do good. "
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man;
23 " but I see a different law in my limbs, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my limbs. "
24 Wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me out of the body of this death?
25 " Thanks be to God- through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
"
1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 " For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for a sin offering, condemned sin, in the flesh. "
4 " That the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. "
5 " For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. "
6 " For the mind of the flesh is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. "
7 " Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. "
8 And they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 " But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. "
10 " And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. "
11 " But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies- through His Spirit that dwells in you. "
12 " So then brothers, we are debtors- but not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. "
13 " For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live.
The Wonder of Being God's Children"
14 " For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. "
15 " For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. "
16 " The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit, that we are children of God. "
17 " And if children, then heirs- heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. If so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. "
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creation awaits the revealing of God's children.
20 " For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of Him who subjected it in hope; "
21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
23 " And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as children and the redemption of our bodies. "
24 For in hope were we saved; but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
25 " But if we hope for what we do not see, then we with patience wait for it.
"
26 " And in like manner the Spirit also helps our infirmity. For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. "
27 " And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. "
28 " And we know that to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose- all things work together for good. "
29 " For whom He foreknew, He also foreordained to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many other children. "
30 " And whom He foreordained, those He also called, and whom He called, these He also justified, and who He justified, these He also glorified. "
31 " What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? "
32 " He that spared not His own Son but delivered him up for us all, how shall He not also with him freely give us all things? "
33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's chosen ones? It is God that justifies.
34 " Who is he that condemns? It is Christ Jesus that died, yes rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God; who also makes intercession for us. "
35 " Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? "
36 " Even as it is written: For your sake we are killed all the day long, we were deemed sheep for the slaughter. "
37 " No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. "
38 " For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, "
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.
"
1 "God's Love for Israel
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit, "
2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart.
3 " For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh; "
4 " who are Israelites, whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God and the promises. "
5 " Whose are the fathers and of whom is Christ, as concerning the flesh, who is over all. God be praised forever! Amen. "
6 " But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel. "
7 " Neither, because they are Abraham's seed are they all children, but: In Isaac shall your seed be called. "
8 " That is: it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God, but the children of the promise who are counted as the seed. "
9 For this is the word of promise: According to this season will I come and Sarah shall have a son.
10 " And not only so, but Rebecca also having conceived by one, by our father Isaac "
11 " (for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him that calls), "
12 it was said to her: The elder shall serve the younger.
13 " Even as it is written: Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. "
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid!
15 " For He said to Moses: I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. "
16 " So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy. "
17 " For the scripture says of Pharaoh: For this very purpose did I raise you up, that I might show in you My power, and that My Name might be published abroad in all the earth. "
18 " So then He has mercy on whom He wishes to, and hardens who He wishes. "
19 Then you will say to me: Why does He still find fault? For who withstands His will?
20 " No, O man; who are you to answer back to God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it: Why did you make me thus? "
21 " Or has not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel to honour, and another to dishonour? "
22 " And so what if God is willing to show His anger and to make His power known, enduring with longsuffering vessels of anger prepared for destruction; "
23 " and that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He beforehand prepared for glory, "
24 " even us, whom He also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles? "
25 " As He said also in Hosea: I will call them My people, who were not My people; and she that was not beloved shall be called beloved. "
26 " And it shall be, that in the place where it was said to them: You are not My people, there shall they be called children of the living God. "
27 " And Isaiah cried out concerning Israel: Even if the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is only the remnant that shall be saved. "
28 " For the Lord will execute His word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short. "
29 " And, as Isaiah has said before: Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had become as Sodom and had been made like Gomorrah. "
30 " What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. "
31 " But Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. "
32 " Therefore because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works, they stumbled at the stone of stumbling. "
33 " Even as it is written: Look, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence; and he that believes in him shall not be put to shame.
"
1 "
Brothers, my heart's desire and my supplication to God is for Israel, that they may be saved. "
2 " For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. "
3 " For being ignorant of God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. "
4 For Christ is the end of the law regarding righteousness to everyone that believes.
5 " For Moses writes, that the man that does the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby. "
6 " But the righteousness which is of faith says thus: Do not say in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down) "
7 " or, Who shall descend into the abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). "
8 " But what did it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. That is, the word of faith, which we preach. "
9 " Because if you shall confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and shall believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. "
10 " For with the heart man believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. "
11 For the scripture says: Whoever believes in him shall not be put to shame.
12 " For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, for the same one who is Lord of all is rich to all that call upon him. "
13 For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they do not have belief? And how shall they believe in him about whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 " And how shall they preach, unless they are sent? Even as it is written: How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things! "
16 " But they did not all obey the glad tidings. For Isaiah said: Lord, who has believed our report? "
17 " So belief comes of hearing, and hearing by the word of God. "
18 " But I say: Did they not hear? Yes, truly, their sound went out into all the earth and their words to the ends of the world. "
19 " But I say: Did Israel not know? First Moses said: I will provoke you to jealousy with those who are no nation, with a nation void of understanding will I anger you. "
20 " And Isaiah is very bold, and said: I was found by those that did not seek Me; I showed myself to those who were not asking for Me. "
21 But to Israel He said: All the day long did I spread out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.
1 "God's Plan for Israel
I say then, has God cast off His people? God forbid! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. "
2 " God did not cast off His people, whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel: "
3 " Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have destroyed Your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. "
4 " But what was the answer of God to him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed their knee to Baal. "
5 " Even so then, at this present time also, there is a remnant, according to the calling of grace. "
6 " But if it is by grace, it is no more of works. Otherwise grace is no more grace. "
7 " What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The chosen obtained it, but the rest were hardened. "
8 " According as it is written: God gave them a spirit of stupour, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day. "
9 And David said: Let their table be made a snare and a trap and a stumblingblock and a recompense unto them.
10 " Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bend their back forever. "
11 " I say then, did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid! But by their fall, salvation came to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy. "
12 " Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fulness? "
13 " But I speak to you who are Gentiles- inasmuch as I am an apostle of the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry, "
14 " if by any means I may provoke to jealousy them that are my flesh, and may save some of them. "
15 " For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? "
16 " And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. "
17 " But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and did become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree- "
18 " do not boast over the broken branches, for you are but branches too. For if you boast, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root supports you. "
19 You will say then: Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.
20 " Well. Because of their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Be not highminded, but fear. "
21 " For if God spared not the natural branches, neither will He spare you. "
22 " Behold then the goodness and severity of God: Towards those that fell, severity; but toward you, God's goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also shall be cut off. "
23 " And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, shall be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again. "
24 " For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more appropriately shall these, who are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?"
25 "
Brothers, I would not have you ignorant of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part has befallen Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles is made up. "
26 " And so all Israel shall be saved. Even as it is written: There shall come out of Zion the deliverer, and he shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. "
27 " And this is My covenant to them, when I shall take away their sins. "
28 " As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake, but as touching their calling, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. "
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30 " For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, "
31 " even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you, they may also now obtain mercy. "
32 " For God has shut up all to disobedience, that He might have mercy upon all. "
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past tracing out!
34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counsellor?
35 " Or who has given a gift to Him, that he might be repaid? "
36 " For of Him and through Him and to Him, are all things. To Him be the glory for ever. Amen.
"
1 "
Therefore I urge you brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your logical service. "
2 " And do not conform to the mould of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may experience what is the good and acceptable and the perfect will of God. "
3 " For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, accordingly as God has dealt to each man a measure of faith. "
4 " For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members do not have the same office, "
5 " so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and although different, still members one of another. "
6 " And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of our faith, "
7 " or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry. Or he that teaches, to his teaching, "
8 " or he that exhorts, to his exhorting; he that gives, let him do it with generosity. He that rules, with diligence. He that shows mercy, with cheerfulness. "
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour to others.
11 " Be diligent, not lazy, fervent in spirit in your serving the Lord. "
12 " Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing earnestly in prayer. "
13 " Responding to the necessities of the saints by sharing, accustomed to showing hospitality. "
14 Bless them that persecute you; bless and curse not.
15 " Rejoice with them that rejoice, weep with them that weep. "
16 " Be of the same mind one toward another. Do not be arrogant, but condescend to those who are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. "
17 Render to no one evil for evil. Take thought to do things honourably in the sight of all men.
18 " If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. "
19 " Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written: Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. "
20 " But if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you shall heap coals of fire upon his head. "
21 " Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
"
1 "
Let every one of you be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no power but by God, and the powers that be have been ordained by God. "
2 " Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. "
3 " For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. If you wish to live without fear of the authorities- then do that which is good! And you shall have praise from the same. "
4 " For he is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil- be afraid! For he carries not the sword in vain. For he is a minister of God, an avenger of God's anger to him that does evil. "
5 " Therefore you must be in subjection, not only because of God's anger against sin, but also for the sake of your conscience. "
6 " For this cause you pay tribute also. For they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing. "
7 " Render to all their dues. Tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. "
8 " Owe no one anything, apart from to love one another. For he that loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law. "
9 " For this, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not covet- and if there be any other commandment- it is summed up in this word, namely: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. "
10 Love works no evil to his neighbour. Love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.
11 " And consider this too: Knowing the time, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep. For now is our salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. "
12 " The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light. "
13 " Let us behave decently, as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy. "
14 " But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
"
1 "
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not so as to just quarrel with him over opinions. "
2 " One man has faith to eat all things, but he that is weak eats herbs. "
3 " Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats; for God has accepted him. "
4 " Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be made to stand up. For the Lord has power to make him stand. "
5 One man esteems one day above another. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.
6 " He that regards the day, regards it to the Lord, and he that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks. "
7 " For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. "
8 " For whether we live, we live to the Lord. Or whether we die, we die to the Lord. Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. "
9 " For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. "
10 " But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you set at nothing your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. "
11 " For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, to Me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to God. "
12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 " Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. "
14 " I know, and I am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself. Save that to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. "
15 " For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you walk no longer in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died "
16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
17 " For the kingdom of God is not about what we eat and drink, but about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. "
18 " For he that herein serves Christ is wellpleasing to God, and approved of by men. "
19 " So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. "
20 " Do not overthrow the work of God for the mere sake of food. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who makes another stumble by what he eats. "
21 It is good not to eat meat nor drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
22 " The faith which you have, keep between yourself and God. Happy is he that has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. "
23 " But he that doubts is condemned if he eats, because he eats not from faith. And whatever is not of faith is sin.
"
1 "
Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. "
2 " Let each of us please his neighbour for his good, to encourage him. "
3 " For Christ also did not please himself, but as it is written: The reproaches of them that reproached You fell upon me. "
4 " For whatever things were written previously were written for our education, that through patience and through the comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. "
5 " Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another, according to Christ Jesus. "
6 That with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 " Therefore receive one another, even as Christ also received you each one, to the glory of God. "
8 " For I say that Christ has been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers, "
9 " and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: Therefore will I give praise to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your Name. "
10 " And again He says: Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people. "
11 " And again: Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise Him. "
12 And again Isaiah said: There shall be the root of Jesse and he that arises to rule over the Gentiles. On him shall the Gentiles hope.
13 " Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. "
14 " And I myself also am persuaded about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to encourage one another. "
15 " But I write the more boldly to you in some way, as if putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace that was given me by God, "
16 " that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Paul's Plans for Rome"
17 I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
18 " For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, "
19 " in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit. So that from Jerusalem and round about even to Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. "
20 " Yes, making it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation. "
21 " But, as it is written: They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, and they who have not heard shall understand. "
22 Therefore I was hindered these many times from coming to you.
23 " But now, there is no need for me in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you, "
24 " I hope to see you during my journey, and to be helped on my way by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. "
25 " At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. "
26 For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem.
27 " They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to minister to them in material things. "
28 " When therefore I have accomplished this, and have given to them this fruit, I will leave for Spain by way of Rome. "
29 " And I know that, when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. "
30 " Now I beseech you brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by 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 in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints. "
32 " That I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest. "
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
1 "
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreae, "
2 " that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and I ask that you assist her in whatever matter she may have need of you. For she herself also has been a helper of many and of my own self. "
3 " Greet Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, "
4 " who for my life laid down their own necks. To whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles, "
5 " and greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus my beloved, who is the firstfruits of Asia to Christ. "
6 " Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on you. "
7 " Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me. "
8 Greet Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord.
9 " Greet Urbanus our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. "
10 Greet Apelles the approved in Christ. Greet them that are of the household of Aristobulus.
11 " Greet Herodion my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord. "
12 " Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who laboured much in the Lord. "
13 " Greet Rufus the chosen in the Lord; and his mother, who also was as a mother to me. "
14 " Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the believers that are with them. "
15 " Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them. "
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
17 " Now I urge you brothers, mark those that are causing divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught. Turn away from these. "
18 " For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by their smooth and fair speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent. "
19 " For your obedience is known to all. I rejoice therefore over you, but I would have you to be wise regarding that which is good and simple concerning evil. "
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21 " Timothy my fellow-worker greets you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. "
22 " I Tertius, who write this epistle, greet you in the Lord. "
23 Gaius my host (and of the whole church) greets you. Erastus the treasurer of the city greets you; and Quartus the brother.
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25 " Now to him that is able to establish you according to the gospel I preach, which is the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept in silence through times eternal "
26 " but now is manifested, and in accordance with the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known to all the nations to obedience of faith: "
27 " To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. "