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Romans 1-9
Darby Translation
Romans 1-9
Darby Translation
1 Paul, bondman of Jesus Christ, [a] called apostle, separated to God's glad tidings,
2 (which he had before promised by his prophets in holy writings,)
3 concerning his Son (come of David's seed according to flesh,
4 marked out Son of God in power, according to [the] Spirit of holiness, by resurrection of [the] dead) Jesus Christ our Lord;
5 by whom we have received grace and apostleship in behalf of his name, for obedience of faith among all the nations,
6 among whom are *ye* also [the] called of Jesus Christ:
7 to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and [our] Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed in the whole world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the glad tidings of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you,
10 always beseeching at my prayers, if any way now at least I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you.
11 For I greatly desire to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to establish you;
12 that is, to have mutual comfort among you, each by the faith [which is] in the other, both yours and mine.
13 But I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that I often proposed to come to you, (and have been hindered until the present time,) that I might have some fruit among you too, even as among the other nations also.
14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both to wise and unintelligent:
15 so, as far as depends on me, am I ready to announce the glad tidings to you also who [are] in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the glad tidings; for it is God's power to salvation, to every one that believes, both to Jew first and to Greek:
17 for righteousness of God is revealed therein, on the principle of faith, to faith: according as it is written, But the just shall live by faith.
18 For there is revealed wrath of God from heaven upon all impiety, and unrighteousness of men holding the truth in unrighteousness.
19 Because what is known of God is manifest among them, for God has manifested [it] to them,
20 —for from [the] world's creation the invisible things of him are perceived, being apprehended by the mind through the things that are made, both his eternal power and divinity,—so as to render them inexcusable.
21 Because, knowing God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but fell into folly in their thoughts, and their heart without understanding was darkened:
22 professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into [the] likeness of an image of corruptible man and of birds and quadrupeds and reptiles.
24 Wherefore God gave them up [also] in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, to dishonour their bodies between themselves:
25 who changed the truth of God into falsehood, and honoured and served the creature more than him who had created [it], who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile lusts; for both their females changed the natural use into that contrary to nature;
27 and in like manner the males also, leaving the natural use of the female, were inflamed in their lust towards one another; males with males working shame, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error which was fit.
28 And according as they did not think good to have God in [their] knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind to practise unseemly things;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil dispositions; whisperers,
30 back-biters, hateful to God, insolent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 void of understanding, faithless, without natural affection, unmerciful;
32 who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that they who do such things are worthy of death, not only practise them, but have fellow delight in those who do [them].
2 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, every one who judgest, for in that in which thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth upon those who do such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, who judgest those that do such things, and practisest them [thyself], that *thou* shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads thee to repentance?
5 but, according to thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up to thyself wrath, in [the] day of wrath and revelation of [the] righteous judgment of God,
6 who shall render to each according to his works:
7 to them who, in patient continuance of good works, seek for glory and honour and incorruptibility, life eternal.
8 But to those that are contentious, and are disobedient to the truth, but obey unrighteousness, [there shall be] wrath and indignation,
9 tribulation and distress, on every soul of man that works evil, both of Jew first, and of Greek;
10 but glory and honour and peace to every one that works good, both to Jew first and to Greek:
11 for there is no acceptance of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall perish also without law; and as many as have sinned under law shall be judged by 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 [those of the] nations, which have no law, practise by nature the things of the law, these, having no law, are a law to themselves;
15 who shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts accusing or else excusing themselves between themselves;)
16 in [the] day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my glad tidings, by Jesus Christ.
17 But if *thou* art named a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast in God,
18 and knowest the will, and discerningly approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
19 and hast confidence that thou thyself art a leader of the blind, a light of those who [are] in darkness,
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law:
21 thou then that teachest another, dost thou not teach thyself? thou that preachest not to steal, dost thou steal?
22 thou that sayest [man should] not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23 thou who boastest in law, dost thou by transgression of the law dishonour God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed on your account among the nations, according as it is written.
25 For circumcision indeed profits if thou keep [the] law; but if thou be a law-transgressor, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.
26 If therefore the uncircumcision keep the requirements of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision,
27 and uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the law, judge thee, who, with letter and circumcision, [art] a law-transgressor?
28 For he is not a Jew who [is] one outwardly, neither that circumcision which is outward in flesh;
29 but he [is] a Jew [who is so] inwardly; and circumcision, of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.
3 What then [is] the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of circumcision?
2 Much every way: and first, indeed, that to them were entrusted the oracles of God.
3 For what? if some have not believed, shall their unbelief make the faith of God of none effect?
4 Far be the thought: but let God be true, and every man false; according as it is written, So that thou shouldest be justified in thy words, and shouldest overcome when thou art in judgment.
5 But if our unrighteousness commend God's righteousness, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak according to man.
6 Far be the thought: since how shall God judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God, in my lie, has more abounded to his glory, why yet am *I* also judged as a sinner?
8 and not, according as we are injuriously charged, and according as some affirm that we say, Let us practise evil things, that good ones may come? whose judgment is just.
9 What then? are we better? No, in no wise: for we have before charged both Jews and Greeks with being all under sin:
10 according as it is written, There is not a righteous [man], not even one;
11 there is not the [man] that understands, there is not one that seeks after God.
12 All have gone out of the way, they have together become unprofitable; there is not one that practises goodness, there is not so much as one:
13 their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; asps' poison [is] under their lips:
14 whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness;
15 swift their feet to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery [are] in their ways,
17 and way of peace they have not known:
18 there is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 Now we know that whatever the things the law says, it speaks to those under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world be under judgment to God.
20 Wherefore by works of law no flesh shall be justified before him; for by law [is] knowledge of sin.
21 But now without law righteousness of God is manifested, borne witness to by the law and the prophets;
22 righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ towards all, and upon all those who believe: for there is no difference;
23 for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption which [is] in Christ Jesus;
25 whom God has set forth a mercy-seat, through faith in his blood, for [the] shewing forth of his righteousness, in respect of the passing by the sins that had taken place before, through the forbearance of God;
26 for [the] shewing forth of his righteousness in the present time, so that he should be just, and justify him that is of [the] faith of Jesus.
27 Where then [is] boasting? It has been excluded. By what law? of works? Nay, but by law of faith;
28 for we reckon that a man is justified by faith, without works of law.
29 Is [God] the God of Jews only? is he not of [the] nations also? Yea, of nations also:
30 since indeed [it is] one God who shall justify [the] circumcision on the principle of faith, and uncircumcision by faith.
31 Do we then make void law by faith? Far be the thought: [no,] but we establish law.
4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father according to flesh has found?
2 For if Abraham has been justified on the principle of works, he has whereof to boast: but not before God;
3 for what does the scripture say? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
4 Now to him that works the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but of debt:
5 but to him who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.
6 Even as David also declares the blessedness of the man to whom God reckons righteousness without works:
7 Blessed [they] whose lawlessnesses have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered:
8 blessed [the] man to whom [the] Lord shall not at all reckon sin.
9 [Does] this blessedness then [rest] on the circumcision, or also on the uncircumcision? For we say that faith has been reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.
10 How then has it been reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received [the] sign of circumcision [as] seal of the righteousness of faith which [he had] being in uncircumcision, that he might be [the] father of all them that believe being in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned to them also;
12 and father of circumcision, not only to those who are of [the] circumcision, but to those also who walk in the steps of the faith, during uncircumcision, of our father Abraham.
13 For [it was] not by law that the promise was to Abraham, or to his seed, that he should be heir of [the] world, but by righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which [are] of law be heirs, faith is made vain, and the promise made of no effect.
15 For law works wrath; but where no law is neither [is there] transgression.
16 Therefore [it is] on the principle of faith, that [it might be] according to grace, in order to the promise being sure to all the seed, not to that only which [is] of the law, but to that also which [is] of Abraham's faith, who is father of us all,
17 (according as it is written, I have made thee father of many nations,) before the God whom he believed, who quickens the dead, and calls the things which be not as being;
18 who against hope believed in hope to his becoming father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be:
19 and not being weak in faith, he considered not his own body already become dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadening of Sarah's womb,
20 and hesitated not at the promise of God through unbelief; but found strength in faith, giving glory to God;
21 and being fully persuaded that what he has promised he is able also to do;
22 wherefore also it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
23 Now it was not written on his account alone that it was reckoned to him,
24 but on ours also, to whom, believing on him who has raised from among [the] dead Jesus our Lord,
25 who has been delivered for our offences and has been raised for our justification, it will be reckoned.
5 Therefore having been justified on the principle of faith, we have peace towards God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
2 by whom we have also access by faith into this favour in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only [that], but we also boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works endurance;
4 and endurance, experience; and experience, hope;
5 and hope does not make ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by [the] Holy Spirit which has been given to us:
6 for we being still without strength, in [the] due time Christ has died for [the] ungodly.
7 For scarcely for [the] just [man] will one die, for perhaps for [the] good [man] some one might also dare to die;
8 but God commends *his* love to us, in that, we being still sinners, Christ has died for us.
9 Much rather therefore, having been now justified in [the power of] his blood, we shall be saved by him from wrath.
10 For if, being enemies, we have been reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much rather, having been reconciled, we shall be saved in [the power of] his life.
11 And not only [that], but [we are] making our boast in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom now we have received the reconciliation.
12 For this [cause], even as by one man sin entered into the world, and by sin death; and thus death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (for until law sin was in [the] world; but sin is not put to account when there is no law;
14 but death reigned from Adam until Moses, even upon those who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is [the] figure of him to come.
15 But [shall] not the act of favour [be] as the offence? For if by the offence of one the many have died, much rather has the grace of God, and the free gift in grace, which [is] by the one man Jesus Christ, abounded unto the many.
16 And [shall] not as by one that has sinned [be] the gift? For the judgment [was] of one to condemnation, but the act of favour, of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by the offence of the one death reigned by the one, much rather shall those who receive the abundance of grace, and of the free gift of righteousness, reign in life by the one Jesus Christ:)
18 so then as [it was] by one offence towards all men to condemnation, so by one righteousness towards all men for justification of life.
19 For as indeed by the disobedience of the one man the many have been constituted sinners, so also by the obedience of the one the many will be constituted righteous.
20 But law came in, in order that the offence might abound; but where sin abounded grace has overabounded,
21 in order that, even as sin has reigned in [the power of] death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
6 What then shall we say? Should we continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 Far be the thought. We who have died to sin, how shall we still live in it?
3 Are you ignorant that we, as many as have been baptised unto Christ Jesus, have been baptised unto his death?
4 We have been buried therefore with him by baptism unto death, in order that, even as Christ has been raised up from among [the] dead by the glory of the Father, so *we* also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we are become identified with [him] in the likeness of his death, so also we shall be of [his] resurrection;
6 knowing this, that our old man has been crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be annulled, that we should no longer serve sin.
7 For he that has died is justified from sin.
8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him,
9 knowing that Christ having been raised up from among [the] dead dies no more: death has dominion over him no more.
10 For in that he has died, he has died to sin once for all; but in that he lives, he lives to God.
11 So also *ye*, reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body to obey its lusts.
13 Neither yield your members instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but yield yourselves to God as alive from among [the] dead, and your members instruments of righteousness to God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over *you*, for ye are not under law but under grace.
15 What then? should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Far be the thought.
16 Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves bondmen for obedience, ye are bondmen to him whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But thanks [be] to God, that ye were bondmen of sin, but have obeyed from the heart the form of teaching into which ye were instructed.
18 Now, having got your freedom from sin, ye have become bondmen to righteousness.
19 I speak humanly on account of the weakness of your flesh. For even as ye have yielded your members in bondage to uncleanness and to lawlessness unto lawlessness, so now yield your members in bondage to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were bondmen of sin ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit therefore had ye *then* in the things of which ye are *now* ashamed? for the end of *them* [is] death.
22 But *now*, having got your freedom from sin, and having become bondmen to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end eternal life.
23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the act of favour of God, eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
7 Are ye ignorant, brethren, (for I speak to those knowing law,) that law rules over a man as long as he lives?
2 For the married woman is bound by law to her husband so long as he is alive; but if the husband should die, she is clear from the law of the husband:
3 so then, the husband being alive, she shall be called an adulteress if she be to another man; but if the husband should die, she is free from the law, so as not to be an adulteress, though she be to another man.
4 So that, my brethren, *ye* also have been made dead to the law by the body of the Christ, to be to another, who has been raised up from among [the] dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.
5 For when we were in the flesh the passions of sins, which [were] by the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit to death;
6 but now we are clear from the law, having died in that in which we were held, so that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of letter.
7 What shall we say then? [is] the law sin? Far be the thought. But I had not known sin, unless by law: for I had not had conscience also of lust unless the law had said, Thou shalt not lust;
8 but sin, getting a point of attack by the commandment, wrought in me every lust; for without law sin [was] dead.
9 But *I* was alive without law once; but the commandment having come, sin revived, but *I* died.
10 And the commandment, which [was] for life, was found, [as] to me, itself [to be] unto death:
11 for sin, getting a point of attack by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew [me].
12 So that the law indeed [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13 Did then that which is good become death to me? Far be the thought. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death to me by that which is good; in order that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but *I* am fleshly, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do, I do not own: for not what I will, this I do; but what I hate, this I practise.
16 But if what I do not will, this I practise, 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 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, good does not dwell: for to will is there with me, but to do right [I find] not.
19 For I do not practise the good that I will; but the evil I do not will, that I do.
20 But if what *I* do not will, this I practise, [it is] no longer *I* [that] do it, but the sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then the law upon *me* who will to practise what is right, that with *me* evil is there.
22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man:
23 but I see another law in my members, warring in opposition to the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which exists in my members.
24 O wretched man that I [am]! who shall deliver me out of this body of death?
25 I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then *I* *myself* with the mind serve God's law; but with the flesh sin's law.
8 [There is] then now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and of death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, having sent his own Son, in likeness of flesh of sin, and for sin, has condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law should be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to flesh but according to Spirit.
5 For they that are according to flesh mind the things of the flesh; and they that are according to Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For the mind of the flesh [is] death; but the mind of the Spirit life and peace.
7 Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God; for neither indeed can it be:
8 and they that are in flesh cannot please God.
9 But *ye* are not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed God's Spirit dwell in you; but if any one has not [the] Spirit of Christ *he* is not of him:
10 but if Christ be in you, the body is dead on account of sin, but the Spirit life on account of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that has raised up Jesus from among [the] dead dwell in you, he that has raised up Christ from among [the] dead shall quicken your mortal bodies also on account of his Spirit which dwells in you.
12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to flesh;
13 for if ye live according to flesh, ye are about to die; but if, by the Spirit, ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live:
14 for as many as are led by [the] Spirit of God, *these* are sons of God.
15 For ye have not received a spirit of bondage again for fear, but ye have received a spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.
17 And if children, heirs also: heirs of God, and Christ's joint heirs; if indeed 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 coming glory to be revealed to us.
19 For the anxious looking out of the creature expects the revelation of the sons of God:
20 for the creature has been made subject to vanity, not of its will, but by reason of him who has subjected [the same], in hope
21 that the creature itself also shall be set free from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groans together and travails in pain together until now.
23 And not only [that], but even *we* ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, we also ourselves groan in ourselves, awaiting adoption, [that is] the redemption of our body.
24 For we have been saved in hope; but hope seen is not hope; for what any one sees, why does he also hope?
25 But if what we see not we hope, we expect in patience.
26 And in like manner the Spirit joins also its help to our weakness; for we do not know what we should pray for as is fitting, but the Spirit itself makes intercession with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 But he who searches the hearts knows what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for saints according to God.
28 But we *do* know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose.
29 Because whom he has foreknown, he has also predestinated [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be [the] firstborn among many brethren.
30 But whom he has predestinated, these also he has called; and whom he has called, these also he has justified; but whom he has justified, these also he has glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who against us?
32 He who, yea, has not spared his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him grant us all things?
33 Who shall bring an accusation against God's elect? [It is] God who justifies:
34 who is he that condemns? [It is] Christ who has died, but rather has been [also] raised up; who is also at the right hand of God; who also intercedes for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 According as it is written, For thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we have been reckoned as sheep for slaughter.
37 But in all these things we more than conquer through him that has 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.
9 I say [the] truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in [the] Holy Spirit,
2 that I have great grief and uninterrupted pain in my heart,
3 for I have wished, I myself, to be a curse from the Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen, according to flesh;
4 who are Israelites; whose [is] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the law-giving, and the service, and the promises;
5 whose [are] the fathers; and of whom, as according to flesh, [is] the Christ, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6 Not however as though the word of God had failed; for not all [are] Israel which [are] of Israel;
7 nor because they are seed of Abraham [are] all children: but, In Isaac shall a seed be called to thee.
8 That is, [they that are] the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned as seed.
9 For this word [is] of promise, According to this time I will come, and there shall be a son to Sarah.
10 And not only [that], but Rebecca having conceived by one, Isaac our father,
11 [the children] indeed being not yet born, or having done anything good or worthless (that the purpose of God according to election might abide, not of works, but of him that calls),
12 it was said to her, The greater shall serve the less:
13 according as it is written, I have loved Jacob, and I have hated Esau.
14 What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? Far be the thought.
15 For he says to Moses, I will shew mercy to whom I will shew mercy, and I will feel compassion for whom I will feel compassion.
16 So then [it is] not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shews mercy.
17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, For this very thing I have raised thee up from amongst [men], that I might thus shew in thee my power, and so that my name should be declared in all the earth.
18 So then, to whom he will he shews mercy, and whom he will he hardens.
19 Thou wilt say to me then, Why does he yet find fault? for who resists his purpose?
20 Aye, but thou, O man, who art *thou* that answerest again to God? Shall the thing formed say to him that has formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Or has not the potter authority over the clay, out of the same lump to make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour?
22 And if God, minded to shew his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering vessels of wrath fitted for destruction;
23 and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he had before prepared for glory,
24 us, whom he has also called, not only from amongst [the] Jews, but also from amongst [the] nations?
25 As he says also in Hosea, I will call not-my-people My people; and the-not-beloved Beloved.
26 And it shall be, in the place where it was said to them, *Ye* [are] not my people, there shall they be called Sons of [the] living God.
27 But Esaias cries concerning Israel, Should the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved:
28 for [he] is bringing the matter to an end, and [cutting [it] short in righteousness; because] a cutting short of the matter will [the] Lord accomplish upon the earth.
29 And according as Esaias said before, Unless [the] Lord of hosts had left us a seed, we had been as Sodom, and made like even as Gomorrha.
30 What then shall we say? That [they of the] nations, who did not follow after righteousness, have attained righteousness, but [the] righteousness that is on the principle of faith.
31 But Israel, pursuing after a law of righteousness, has not attained to [that] law.
32 Wherefore? Because [it was] not on the principle of faith, but as of works. They have stumbled at the stumblingstone,
33 according as it is written, Behold, I place in Zion a stone of stumbling and rock of offence: and he that believes on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 1-9
New International Version
Romans 1-9
New International Version
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle(A) and set apart(B) for the gospel of God(C)— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand(D) through his prophets(E) in the Holy Scriptures(F) 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a](G) was a descendant of David,(H) 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b](I) by his resurrection from the dead:(J) Jesus Christ our Lord.(K) 5 Through him we received grace(L) and apostleship to call all the Gentiles(M) to the obedience that comes from[c] faith(N) for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.(O)
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God(P) and called to be his holy people:(Q)
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.(R)
Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you,(S) because your faith is being reported all over the world.(T) 9 God, whom I serve(U) in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness(V) how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times;(W) and I pray that now at last by God’s will(X) the way may be opened for me to come to you.(Y)
11 I long to see you(Z) so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift(AA) to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware,(AB) brothers and sisters,[d](AC) that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now)(AD) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am obligated(AE) both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.(AF)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel,(AG) because it is the power of God(AH) that brings salvation to everyone who believes:(AI) first to the Jew,(AJ) then to the Gentile.(AK) 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed(AL)—a righteousness that is by faith(AM) from first to last,[e] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”[f](AN)
God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
18 The wrath of God(AO) is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.(AP) 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made,(AQ) so that people are without excuse.(AR)
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.(AS) 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools(AT) 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images(AU) made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over(AV) in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.(AW) 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie,(AX) and worshiped and served created things(AY) rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.(AZ) Amen.(BA)
26 Because of this, God gave them over(BB) to shameful lusts.(BC) Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.(BD) 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.(BE)
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over(BF) to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,(BG) 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;(BH) 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love,(BI) no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death,(BJ) they not only continue to do these very things but also approve(BK) of those who practice them.
God’s Righteous Judgment
2 You, therefore, have no excuse,(BL) you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.(BM) 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches(BN) of his kindness,(BO) forbearance(BP) and patience,(BQ) not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?(BR)
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath(BS), when his righteous judgment(BT) will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[g](BU) 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor(BV) and immortality,(BW) he will give eternal life.(BX) 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil,(BY) there will be wrath and anger.(BZ) 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil:(CA) first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;(CB) 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.(CC) 11 For God does not show favoritism.(CD)
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law(CE) will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey(CF) the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law,(CG) they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets(CH) through Jesus Christ,(CI) as my gospel(CJ) declares.
The Jews and the Law
17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;(CK) 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?(CL) 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?(CM) 23 You who boast in the law,(CN) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[h](CO)
25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law,(CP) but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.(CQ) 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements,(CR) will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?(CS) 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you(CT) who, even though you have the[i] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,(CU) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.(CV) 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,(CW) by the Spirit,(CX) not by the written code.(CY) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.(CZ)
God’s Faithfulness
3 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way!(DA) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.(DB)
3 What if some were unfaithful?(DC) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?(DD) 4 Not at all! Let God be true,(DE) and every human being a liar.(DF) As it is written:
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,(DH) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)(DI) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?(DJ) 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory,(DK) why am I still condemned as a sinner?”(DL) 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”?(DM) Their condemnation is just!
No One Is Righteous
9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage?(DN) Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.(DO) 10 As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”[k](DP)
13 “Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.”[l](DQ)
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”[m](DR)
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[n](DS)
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know.”[o](DT)
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[p](DU)
19 Now we know that whatever the law says,(DV) it says to those who are under the law,(DW) so that every mouth may be silenced(DX) and the whole world held accountable to God.(DY) 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;(DZ) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.(EA)
Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God(EB) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.(EC) 22 This righteousness(ED) is given through faith(EE) in[q] Jesus Christ(EF) to all who believe.(EG) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,(EH) 23 for all have sinned(EI) and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified(EJ) freely by his grace(EK) through the redemption(EL) that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[r](EM) through the shedding of his blood(EN)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished(EO)— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting?(EP) It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.(EQ) 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,(ER) 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.(ES) 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Abraham Justified by Faith
4 What then shall we say(ET) that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,(EU) discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.(EV) 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[s](EW)
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift(EX) but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.(EY) 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”[t](EZ)
9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?(FA) We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.(FB) 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.(FC) So then, he is the father(FD) of all who believe(FE) but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise(FF) that he would be heir of the world,(FG) but through the righteousness that comes by faith.(FH) 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,(FI) 15 because the law brings wrath.(FJ) And where there is no law there is no transgression.(FK)
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace(FL) and may be guaranteed(FM) to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.(FN) 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[u](FO) He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life(FP) to the dead and calls(FQ) into being things that were not.(FR)
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations,(FS) just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[v](FT) 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead(FU)—since he was about a hundred years old(FV)—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.(FW) 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened(FX) in his faith and gave glory to God,(FY) 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.(FZ) 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”(GA) 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us,(GB) to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him(GC) who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.(GD) 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins(GE) and was raised to life for our justification.(GF)
Peace and Hope
5 Therefore, since we have been justified(GG) through faith,(GH) we[w] have peace(GI) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,(GJ) 2 through whom we have gained access(GK) by faith into this grace in which we now stand.(GL) And we[x] boast in the hope(GM) of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[y] also glory in our sufferings,(GN) because we know that suffering produces perseverance;(GO) 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope(GP) does not put us to shame, because God’s love(GQ) has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,(GR) who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time,(GS) when we were still powerless,(GT) Christ died for the ungodly.(GU) 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.(GV)
9 Since we have now been justified(GW) by his blood,(GX) how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath(GY) through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies,(GZ) we were reconciled(HA) to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!(HB) 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.(HC)
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,(HD) and death through sin,(HE) and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned(HF)—
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.(HG) 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam,(HH) who is a pattern of the one to come.(HI)
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,(HJ) how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,(HK) overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death(HL) reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life(HM) through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,(HN) so also one righteous act resulted in justification(HO) and life(HP) for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man(HQ) the many were made sinners,(HR) so also through the obedience(HS) of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.(HT) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,(HU) 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death,(HV) so also grace(HW) might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life(HX) through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
6 What shall we say, then?(HY) Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?(HZ) 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin;(IA) how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized(IB) into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death(IC) in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead(ID) through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.(IE)
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.(IF) 6 For we know that our old self(IG) was crucified with him(IH) so that the body ruled by sin(II) might be done away with,[z] that we should no longer be slaves to sin(IJ)— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.(IK)
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.(IL) 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead,(IM) he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.(IN) 10 The death he died, he died to sin(IO) once for all;(IP) but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin(IQ) but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign(IR) in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness,(IS) but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.(IT) 14 For sin shall no longer be your master,(IU) because you are not under the law,(IV) but under grace.(IW)
Slaves to Righteousness
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?(IX) By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey(IY)—whether you are slaves to sin,(IZ) which leads to death,(JA) or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God(JB) that, though you used to be slaves to sin,(JC) you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching(JD) that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin(JE) and have become slaves to righteousness.(JF)
19 I am using an example from everyday life(JG) because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness(JH) leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin,(JI) you were free from the control of righteousness.(JJ) 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!(JK) 22 But now that you have been set free from sin(JL) and have become slaves of God,(JM) the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.(JN) 23 For the wages of sin is death,(JO) but the gift of God is eternal life(JP) in[aa] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Released From the Law, Bound to Christ
7 Do you not know, brothers and sisters(JQ)—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him.(JR) 3 So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress.(JS) But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.
4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law(JT) through the body of Christ,(JU) that you might belong to another,(JV) to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh,[ab](JW) the sinful passions aroused by the law(JX) were at work in us,(JY) so that we bore fruit for death.(JZ) 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law(KA) so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.(KB)
The Law and Sin
7 What shall we say, then?(KC) Is the law sinful? Certainly not!(KD) Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.(KE) For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”[ac](KF) 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,(KG) produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.(KH) 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life(KI) actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,(KJ) deceived me,(KK) and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.(KL)
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good(KM) to bring about my death,(KN) so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual,(KO) sold(KP) as a slave to sin.(KQ) 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.(KR) 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.(KS) 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.(KT) 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[ad](KU) For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.(KV) 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.(KW)
21 So I find this law at work:(KX) Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being(KY) I delight in God’s law;(KZ) 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war(LA) against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin(LB) at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?(LC) 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!(LD)
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law,(LE) but in my sinful nature[ae] a slave to the law of sin.(LF)
Life Through the Spirit
8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation(LG) for those who are in Christ Jesus,(LH) 2 because through Christ Jesus(LI) the law of the Spirit who gives life(LJ) has set you[af] free(LK) from the law of sin(LL) and death. 3 For what the law was powerless(LM) to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[ag](LN) God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh(LO) to be a sin offering.[ah](LP) And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement(LQ) of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.(LR)
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;(LS) but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.(LT) 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death,(LU) but the mind governed by the Spirit is life(LV) and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God;(LW) it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh(LX) cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh(LY) but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.(LZ) And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,(MA) they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you,(MB) then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[ai] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead(MC) is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies(MD) because of[aj] his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.(ME) 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;(MF) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,(MG) you will live.(MH)
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God(MI) are the children of God.(MJ) 15 The Spirit(MK) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;(ML) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[ak] And by him we cry, “Abba,[al] Father.”(MM) 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit(MN) that we are God’s children.(MO) 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs(MP)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings(MQ) in order that we may also share in his glory.(MR)
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.(MS) 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God(MT) to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,(MU) in hope 21 that[am] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay(MV) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.(MW)
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning(MX) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,(MY) groan(MZ) inwardly as we wait eagerly(NA) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.(NB) 24 For in this hope we were saved.(NC) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.(ND) Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.(NE)
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit(NF) himself intercedes for us(NG) through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts(NH) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes(NI) for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good(NJ) of those who love him, who[an] have been called(NK) according to his purpose.(NL) 29 For those God foreknew(NM) he also predestined(NN) to be conformed to the image of his Son,(NO) that he might be the firstborn(NP) among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined,(NQ) he also called;(NR) those he called, he also justified;(NS) those he justified, he also glorified.(NT)
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things?(NU) If God is for us,(NV) who can be against us?(NW) 32 He who did not spare his own Son,(NX) but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge(NY) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns?(NZ) No one. Christ Jesus who died(OA)—more than that, who was raised to life(OB)—is at the right hand of God(OC) and is also interceding for us.(OD) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?(OE) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?(OF) 36 As it is written:
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors(OH) through him who loved us.(OI) 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[ap] neither the present nor the future,(OJ) nor any powers,(OK) 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God(OL) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(OM)
Paul’s Anguish Over Israel
9 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying,(ON) my conscience confirms(OO) it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself(OP) were cursed(OQ) and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people,(OR) those of my own race,(OS) 4 the people of Israel.(OT) Theirs is the adoption to sonship;(OU) theirs the divine glory,(OV) the covenants,(OW) the receiving of the law,(OX) the temple worship(OY) and the promises.(OZ) 5 Theirs are the patriarchs,(PA) and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah,(PB) who is God over all,(PC) forever praised Amen.
God’s Sovereign Choice
6 It is not as though God’s word(PE) had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.(PF) 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”[ar](PG) 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children,(PH) but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.(PI) 9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”[as](PJ)
10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.(PK) 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad(PL)—in order that God’s purpose(PM) in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”[at](PN) 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”[au](PO)
14 What then shall we say?(PP) Is God unjust? Not at all!(PQ) 15 For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”[av](PR)
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.(PS) 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”[aw](PT) 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.(PU)
19 One of you will say to me:(PV) “Then why does God still blame us?(PW) For who is able to resist his will?”(PX) 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God?(PY) “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,(PZ) ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[ax](QA) 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?(QB)
22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience(QC) the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?(QD) 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory(QE) known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory(QF)— 24 even us, whom he also called,(QG) not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?(QH) 25 As he says in Hosea:
Footnotes
- Romans 1:3 Or who according to the flesh
- Romans 1:4 Or was declared with power to be the Son of God
- Romans 1:5 Or that is
- Romans 1:13 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 7:1, 4; 8:12, 29; 10:1; 11:25; 12:1; 15:14, 30; 16:14, 17.
- Romans 1:17 Or is from faith to faith
- Romans 1:17 Hab. 2:4
- Romans 2:6 Psalm 62:12; Prov. 24:12
- Romans 2:24 Isaiah 52:5 (see Septuagint); Ezek. 36:20,22
- Romans 2:27 Or who, by means of a
- Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:4
- Romans 3:12 Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20
- Romans 3:13 Psalm 5:9
- Romans 3:13 Psalm 140:3
- Romans 3:14 Psalm 10:7 (see Septuagint)
- Romans 3:17 Isaiah 59:7,8
- Romans 3:18 Psalm 36:1
- Romans 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of
- Romans 3:25 The Greek for sacrifice of atonement refers to the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant (see Lev. 16:15,16).
- Romans 4:3 Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22
- Romans 4:8 Psalm 32:1,2
- Romans 4:17 Gen. 17:5
- Romans 4:18 Gen. 15:5
- Romans 5:1 Many manuscripts let us
- Romans 5:2 Or let us
- Romans 5:3 Or let us
- Romans 6:6 Or be rendered powerless
- Romans 6:23 Or through
- Romans 7:5 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
- Romans 7:7 Exodus 20:17; Deut. 5:21
- Romans 7:18 Or my flesh
- Romans 7:25 Or in the flesh
- Romans 8:2 The Greek is singular; some manuscripts me
- Romans 8:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 4-13.
- Romans 8:3 Or flesh, for sin
- Romans 8:10 Or you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive
- Romans 8:11 Some manuscripts bodies through
- Romans 8:15 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
- Romans 8:15 Aramaic for father
- Romans 8:21 Or subjected it in hope. 21 For
- Romans 8:28 Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who
- Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:22
- Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers
- Romans 9:5 Or Messiah, who is over all. God be forever praised! Or Messiah. God who is over all be forever praised!
- Romans 9:7 Gen. 21:12
- Romans 9:9 Gen. 18:10,14
- Romans 9:12 Gen. 25:23
- Romans 9:13 Mal. 1:2,3
- Romans 9:15 Exodus 33:19
- Romans 9:17 Exodus 9:16
- Romans 9:20 Isaiah 29:16; 45:9
- Romans 9:25 Hosea 2:23
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