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Romans 10-16
Easy-to-Read Version

10 Brothers and sisters, what I want most is for all the people of Israel to be saved. That is my prayer to God. 2 I can say this about them: They really try hard to follow God, but they don’t know the right way. 3 They did not know the way that God makes people right with him. And they tried to make themselves right in their own way. So they did not accept God’s way of making people right. 4 Christ ended the law so that everyone who believes in him is made right with God.

5 Moses writes about being made right by following the law. He says, “The person who obeys these laws is the one who will have life through them.”[a] 6 But this is what the Scriptures say about being made right through faith: “Don’t say to yourself, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’” (This means “Who will go up to heaven to get Christ and bring him down to earth?”) 7 “And don’t say, ‘Who will go down into the world below?’” (This means “Who will go down to get Christ and bring him up from death?”)

8 This is what the Scripture says: “God’s teaching is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.”[b] It is the teaching of faith that we tell people. 9 If you openly say, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from death, you will be saved. 10 Yes, we believe in Jesus deep in our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we openly say that we believe in him, and so we are saved.

11 Yes, the Scriptures say, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.”[c] 12 It says this because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all people. And he richly blesses everyone who looks to him for help. 13 Yes, “everyone who trusts in the Lord[d] will be saved.”[e]

14 But before people can pray to the Lord for help, they must believe in him. And before they can believe in the Lord, they must hear about him. And for anyone to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them. 15 And before anyone can go and tell them, they must be sent. As the Scriptures say, “How wonderful it is to see someone coming to tell good news!”[f]

16 But not all the people accepted that good news. Isaiah said, “Lord, who believed what we told them?”[g] 17 So faith comes from hearing the Good News. And people hear the Good News when someone tells them about Christ.

18 But I ask, “Did those people not hear the Good News?” Yes, they heard—as the Scriptures say,

“Their voices went out all around the world.
    Their words went everywhere in the world.” (A)

19 Again I ask, “Did the people of Israel not understand?” Yes, they did understand. First, Moses says this for God:

“I will use those who are not really a nation to make you jealous.
    I will use a nation that does not understand to make you angry.” (B)

20 Then Isaiah is bold enough to say this for God:

“The people who were not looking for me—
    they are the ones who found me.
I made myself known to those who did not ask for me.” (C)

21 But about the people of Israel God says,

“All day long I stood ready to accept those people,
    but they are stubborn and refuse to obey me.” (D)

God Has Not Forgotten His People

11 So I ask, “Did God force his people to leave him?” Of course not. I myself am an Israelite. I am from the family of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God chose the Israelites to be his people before they were born. And he did not force them to leave. Surely you know what the Scriptures say about Elijah. The Scriptures tell about Elijah praying to God against the people of Israel. He said, 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and destroyed your altars. I am the only prophet still living, and they are trying to kill me now.”[h] 4 But what answer did God give to Elijah? God said, “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have never given worship to Baal.”[i]

5 It is the same now. God has chosen a few people by his grace. 6 And if he chose them by grace, then it is not what they have done that made them his people. If they could be made his people by what they did, his gift of grace would not really be a gift.

7 So this is what has happened: The people of Israel wanted God’s blessing, but they did not all get it. The people he chose did get his blessing, but the others became hard and refused to listen to him. 8 As the Scriptures say,

“God caused the people to fall asleep.” (E)

“God closed their eyes so that they could not see,
    and he closed their ears so that they could not hear.
This continues until now.” (F)

9 And David says,

“Let those people be caught and trapped at their own feasts.
    Let them fall and be punished.
10 Let their eyes be closed so that they cannot see.
    And let them be troubled forever.” (G)

11 So I ask: When the Jews fell, did that fall destroy them? No! But their mistake brought salvation to those who are not Jews. The purpose of this was to make the Jews jealous. 12 Their mistake brought rich blessings to the world. And what they lost brought rich blessings to the non-Jewish people. So surely the world will get much richer blessings when enough Jews become the kind of people God wants.

13 Now I am speaking to you people who are not Jews. I am an apostle to the non-Jewish people. So while I have that work, I will do the best I can. 14 I hope I can make my own people jealous. That way, maybe I can help some of them to be saved. 15 God turned away from the Jews. When that happened, he became friends with the other people in the world. So when he accepts the Jews, it will be like bringing people to life after death. 16 If the first piece of bread is offered to God, then the whole loaf is made holy. If the roots of a tree are holy, the tree’s branches are holy too.

17 It is as if some of the branches from an olive tree have been broken off, and the branch of a wild olive tree has been joined to that first tree. If you are not a Jew, you are the same as that wild branch, and you now share the strength and life of the first tree. 18 But don’t act as if you are better than those branches that were broken off. You have no reason to be proud of yourself, because you don’t give life to the root. The root gives life to you. 19 You might say, “Branches were broken off so that I could be joined to their tree.” 20 That is true. But those branches were broken off because they did not believe. And you continue to be part of the tree only because you believe. Don’t be proud, but be afraid. 21 If God did not let the natural branches of that tree stay, he will not let you stay if you stop believing.

22 So you see that God is kind, but he can also be very strict. He punishes those who stop following him. But he is kind to you, if you continue trusting in his kindness. If you don’t continue depending on him, you will be cut off from the tree. 23 And if the Jews will believe in God again, he will accept them back. He is able to put them back where they were. 24 It is not natural for a wild branch to become part of a good tree. But you non-Jewish people are like a branch cut from a wild olive tree. And you were joined to a good olive tree. But those Jews are like a branch that grew from the good tree. So surely they can be joined to their own tree again.

25 I want you to understand this secret truth, brothers and sisters. This truth will help you understand that you don’t know everything. The truth is this: Part of Israel has been made stubborn, but that will change when enough non-Jewish people have come to God. 26 And that is how all Israel will be saved. The Scriptures say,

“The Savior will come from Zion;
    he will take away all evil from the family of Jacob.
27 And I will make this agreement with those people
    when I take away their sins.” (H)

28 The Jews refuse to accept the Good News, so they are God’s enemies. This has happened to help you who are not Jews. But they are still God’s chosen people, and he loves them because of the promises he made to their ancestors. 29 God never changes his mind about the people he calls. He never decides to take back the blessings he has given them. 30 At one time you refused to obey God. But now you have received mercy, because the Jews refused to obey. 31 And now they are the ones who refuse to obey, because God showed mercy to you. But this happened so that they can also receive mercy from him. 32 All people have refused to obey God. And he has put them all together as people who don’t obey him so that he can show mercy to everyone.

Praise to God

33 Yes, God’s riches are very great! His wisdom and knowledge have no end! No one can explain what God decides. No one can understand his ways. 34 As the Scriptures say,

“Who can know what is on the Lord’s mind?
    Who is able to give him advice?” (I)

35 “Who has ever given God anything?
    God owes nothing to anyone.” (J)

36 Yes, God made all things. And everything continues through him and for him. To God be the glory forever! Amen.

Give Your Lives to God

12 So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives[j] as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way. 2 Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.

3 God has given me a special gift, and that is why I have something to say to each one of you. Don’t think that you are better than you really are. You must see yourself just as you are. Decide what you are by the faith God has given each of us. 4 Each one of us has one body, and that body has many parts. These parts don’t all do the same thing. 5 In the same way, we are many people, but in Christ we are all one body. We are the parts of that body, and each part belongs to all the others.

6 We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace God gave us. Whoever has the gift of prophecy should use that gift in a way that fits the kind of faith they have. 7 Whoever has the gift of serving should serve. Whoever has the gift of teaching should teach. 8 Whoever has the gift of comforting others should do that. Whoever has the gift of giving to help others should give generously. Whoever has the gift of leading should work hard at it. Whoever has the gift of showing kindness to others should do it gladly.

9 Your love must be real. Hate what is evil. Do only what is good. 10 Love each other in a way that makes you feel close like brothers and sisters. And give each other more honor than you give yourself. 11 As you serve the Lord, work hard and don’t be lazy. Be excited about serving him! 12 Be happy because of the hope you have. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time. 13 Share with God’s people who need help. Look for people who need help and welcome them into your homes.

14 Wish only good for those who treat you badly. Ask God to bless them, not curse them. 15 When others are happy, you should be happy with them. And when others are sad, you should be sad too. 16 Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.

17 If someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. 18 Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 My friends, don’t try to punish anyone who does wrong to you. Wait for God to punish them with his anger. In the Scriptures the Lord says,

“I am the one who punishes;
    I will pay people back.”(K)

20 But you should do this:

“If you have enemies who are hungry,
    give them something to eat.
If you have enemies who are thirsty,
    give them something to drink.
In doing this you will make them feel ashamed.[k]” (L)

21 Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good.

Obey Your Government Rulers

13 All of you must obey the government rulers. Everyone who rules was given the power to rule by God. And all those who rule now were given that power by God. 2 So anyone who is against the government is really against something God has commanded. Those who are against the government bring punishment on themselves. 3 People who do right don’t have to fear the rulers. But those who do wrong must fear them. Do you want to be free from fearing them? Then do only what is right, and they will praise you.

4 Rulers are God’s servants to help you. But if you do wrong, you have reason to be afraid. They have the power to punish, and they will use it. They are God’s servants to punish those who do wrong. 5 So you must obey the government, not just because you might be punished, but because you know it is the right thing to do.

6 And this is why you pay taxes too. Those rulers are working for God, and they give all their time to the work of ruling. 7 Give everyone what you owe them. If you owe them any kind of tax, then pay it. Show respect to those you should respect. And show honor to those you should honor.

Loving Others Is the Only Law

8 You should owe nothing to anyone, except that you will always owe love to each other. The person who loves others has done all that the law commands. 9 The law says, “You must not commit adultery, you must not murder anyone, you must not steal, you must not want what belongs to someone else.”[l] All these commands and all other commands are really only one rule: “Love your neighbor[m] the same as you love yourself.”[n] 10 Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law.

11 I say this because you know that we live in an important time. Yes, it is now time for you to wake up from your sleep. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost finished. The day is almost here. So we should stop doing whatever belongs to darkness. We should prepare ourselves to fight evil with the weapons that belong to the light. 13 We should live in a right way, like people who belong to the day. We should not have wild parties or be drunk. We should not be involved in sexual sin or any kind of immoral behavior. We should not cause arguments and trouble or be jealous. 14 But be like the Lord Jesus Christ, so that when people see what you do, they will see Christ. Don’t think about how to satisfy the desires of your sinful self.

Don’t Criticize Others

14 Be willing to accept those who still have doubts about what believers can do. And don’t argue with them about their different ideas. 2 Some people believe they can eat any kind of food,[o] but those who have doubts eat only vegetables. 3 Those who know they can eat any kind of food must not feel that they are better than those who eat only vegetables. And those who eat only vegetables must not decide that those who eat all foods are wrong. God has accepted them. 4 You cannot judge the servants of someone else. Their own master decides if they are doing right or wrong. And the Lord’s servants will be right, because the Lord is able to make them right.

5 Some people might believe that one day is more important than another. And others might believe that every day is the same. Everyone should be sure about their beliefs in their own mind. 6 Those who think one day is more important than other days are doing that for the Lord. And those who eat all kinds of food are doing that for the Lord. Yes, they give thanks to God for that food. And those who refuse to eat some foods do that for the Lord. They also give thanks to God.

7 We don’t live or die just for ourselves. 8 If we live, we are living for the Lord. And if we die, we are dying for the Lord. So living or dying, we belong to the Lord. 9 That is why Christ died and rose from death to live again—so that he could be Lord over those who have died and those who are living.

10 So why do you judge your brother or sister in Christ? Or why do you think that you are better than they are? We will all stand before God, and he will judge us all. 11 Yes, the Scriptures say,

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
    ‘Everyone will bow before me;
    everyone will say that I am God.’” (M)

12 So each of us will have to explain to God about the things we do.

Don’t Cause Others to Sin

13 So we should stop judging each other. Let’s decide not to do anything that will cause a problem for a brother or sister or hurt their faith. 14 I know that there is no food that is wrong to eat. The Lord Jesus is the one who convinced me of that. But if someone believes that something is wrong, then it is wrong for that person.

15 If you hurt the faith of your brother or sister because of something you eat, you are not really following the way of love. Don’t destroy anyone’s faith by eating something they think is wrong. Christ died for them. 16 Don’t allow what is good for you to become something they say is evil. 17 In God’s kingdom, what we eat and drink is not important. Here is what is important: a right way of life, peace, and joy—all from the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ by living this way is pleasing God, and they will be accepted by others.

19 So let’s try as hard as we can to do what will bring peace. Let’s do whatever will help each other grow stronger in faith. 20 Don’t let the eating of food destroy the work of God. All food is right to eat, but it is wrong for anyone to eat something that hurts the faith of another person. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that hurts the faith of your brother or sister.

22 You should keep your beliefs about these things a secret between yourself and God. It is a blessing to be able to do what you think is right without feeling guilty. 23 But anyone who eats something without being sure it is right is doing wrong. That is because they did not believe it was right. And if you do anything that you believe is not right, it is sin.

15 Some of us have no problem with these things. So we should be patient with those who are not so strong and have doubts. We should not do what pleases us 2 but do what pleases them and is for their good. We should do whatever helps everyone grow stronger in faith. 3 Even Christ did not live trying to please himself. As the Scriptures say about him, “Those people who insulted you have also insulted me.”[p] 4 Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Those things were written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures give us. 5 All patience and encouragement come from God. And I pray that God will help you all agree with each other, as Christ Jesus wants. 6 Then you will all be joined together. And all together you will give glory to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Christ accepted you, so you should accept each other. This will bring honor[q] to God. 8 I tell you that Christ became a servant of the Jews to show that God has done what he promised their great ancestors. 9 Christ also did this so that the non-Jewish people could praise God for the mercy he gives to them. The Scriptures say,

“So I will give thanks to you among the people of other nations;
    I will sing praise to your name.” (N)

10 And the Scriptures say,

“You people of other nations should be happy together with God’s people.” (O)

11 The Scriptures also say,

“Praise the Lord all you people of other nations;
    all people should praise the Lord.” (P)

12 And Isaiah says,

“Someone will come from Jesse’s family.[r]
    He will come to rule over the nations,
and they will put their hope in him.” (Q)

13 I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul Talks About His Work

14 My brothers and sisters, I know without a doubt that you are full of goodness and have all the knowledge you need. So you are certainly able to counsel each other. 15 But I have written to you very openly about some things that I wanted you to remember. I did this because God gave me this special gift: 16 to be a servant of Christ Jesus for those who are not Jews. I serve like a priest whose duty it is to tell God’s Good News. He gave me this work so that you non-Jewish people could be an offering that he will accept—an offering made holy by the Holy Spirit.

17 That is why I feel so good about what I have done for God in my service to Christ Jesus. 18 I will not talk about anything I did myself. I will talk only about what Christ has done with me in leading the non-Jewish people to obey God. They have obeyed him because of what I have said and done. 19 And they obeyed him because of the power of the miraculous signs and wonders that happened—all because of the power of God’s Spirit. I have told people the Good News about Christ in every place from Jerusalem to Illyricum. And so I have finished that part of my work. 20 I always want to tell the Good News in places where people have never heard of Christ. I do this because I don’t want to build on the work that someone else has already started. 21 But as the Scriptures say,

“Those who were not told about him will see,
    and those who have not heard about him will understand.” (R)

Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

22 That’s what has kept me so busy and prevented my coming to see you even though I have wanted to come many times.

23 Now I have finished my work in these areas. And for many years I have wanted to visit you. 24 So I will visit you when I go to Spain. Yes, I hope to visit you while I am traveling to Spain, and I will stay and enjoy being with you. Then you can help me continue on my trip.

25 Now I am going to Jerusalem to help God’s people there. 26 Some of them are poor, and the believers in Macedonia and Achaia wanted to help them. So they gathered some money to send them. 27 They were happy to do this. And it was like paying something they owed them, because as non-Jews they have been blessed spiritually by the Jews. So now they should use the material blessings they have to help the Jews. 28 I am going to Jerusalem to make sure the poor get this money that has been given for them.

After I finish that, I will leave for Spain and stop to visit you on the way. 29 And I know that when I visit you, I will bring you Christ’s full blessing.

30 Brothers and sisters, I beg you to help me in my work by praying to God for me. Do this because of our Lord Jesus and the love that the Spirit gives us. 31 Pray that I will be saved from those in Judea who refuse to accept our message. And pray that this help I am bringing to Jerusalem will please God’s people there. 32 Then, if God wants me to, I will come to you. I will come with joy, and together you and I will have a time of rest. 33 The God who gives peace be with you all. Amen.

Paul Has Some Final Things to Say

16 I want you to know that you can trust our sister in Christ, Phoebe. She is a special servant of the church in Cenchrea. 2 I ask you to accept her in the Lord. Accept her the way God’s people should. Help her with anything she needs from you. She has helped me very much, and she has helped many others too.

3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, who have worked together with me for Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their own lives to save mine. I am thankful to them, and all the non-Jewish churches are thankful to them.

5 Also, give greetings to the church that meets in their house.

Give greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus. He was the first person to follow Christ in Asia.

6 Greetings also to Mary. She worked very hard for you.

7 And greet Andronicus and Junia. They are my relatives, and they were in prison with me. They were followers of Christ before I was. And they are some of the most important of the ones Christ sent out to do his work.[s]

8 Give my greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord, 9 and to Urbanus. He has worked together with me for Christ.

Give greetings also to my dear friend Stachys 10 and to Apelles, who has proved himself to be a true follower of Christ.

Give greetings to everyone in the family of Aristobulus 11 and to Herodion, my relative.

Greetings to all those in the family of Narcissus who belong to the Lord 12 and to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, women who work very hard for the Lord.

Greetings to my dear friend Persis. She has also worked very hard for the Lord.

13 Greetings also to Rufus, one of the Lord’s chosen people, and to his mother, who has been a mother to me too.

14 Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and all the brothers in Christ who are with them.

15 Give greetings to Philologus and Julia, to Nereus and his sister, to Olympas, and to all of God’s people with them.

16 Give each other the special greeting of God’s people.[t]

All the churches that belong to Christ send their greetings to you.

17 Brothers and sisters, I want you to be very careful of those who cause arguments and hurt people’s faith by teaching things that are against what you learned. Stay away from them. 18 People like that are not serving our Lord Christ. They are only pleasing themselves. They use fancy talk and say nice things to fool those who don’t know about evil. 19 Everyone has heard that you do what you were taught, and I am very happy about that. But I want you to be wise about what is good and to know nothing about what is evil.

20 The God who brings peace will soon defeat Satan and give you power over him.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21 Timothy, a worker together with me, sends you his greetings. Also Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater (these are my relatives) send their greetings.

22 I am Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul. I send you my own greetings as one who belongs to the Lord.

23 Gaius is letting me and the whole church here use his home. He sends his greetings to you. Erastus and our brother Quartus also send their greetings. Erastus is the city treasurer here. 24 [u]

25 Praise God! He is the one who can make you strong in faith. He can use the Good News that I teach to make you strong. It is the message about Jesus Christ that I tell people. That message is the secret truth that was hidden for ages and ages but has been made known. 26 It has now been shown to us. It was made known by what the prophets wrote, as God commanded. And it has now been made known to all people so that they can believe and obey God, who lives forever. 27 Glory forever to the only wise God through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 10:5 Quote from Lev. 18:5.
  2. Romans 10:8 Quotes from Deut. 30:12-14.
  3. Romans 10:11 Quote from Isa. 28:16.
  4. Romans 10:13 who trusts in the Lord Literally, “who calls on the name of the Lord,” meaning to show faith in him by worshiping him or praying to him for help.
  5. Romans 10:13 Quote from Joel 2:32.
  6. Romans 10:15 Quote from Isa. 52:7.
  7. Romans 10:16 Quote from Isa. 53:1.
  8. Romans 11:3 Quote from 1 Kings 19:10, 14.
  9. Romans 11:4 Quote from 1 Kings 19:18.
  10. Romans 12:1 lives Literally, “bodies.” Paul is using the language of Old Testament animal sacrifice to express the idea of a complete giving of oneself to God.
  11. Romans 12:20 you will make them feel ashamed Literally, “you will pour burning coals on their head.” People in Old Testament times often put ashes on their heads to show that they were sad or sorry.
  12. Romans 13:9 Quote from Ex. 20:13-15, 17.
  13. Romans 13:9 your neighbor Or “others.” Jesus’ teaching in Lk. 10:25-37 makes clear that this includes anyone in need.
  14. Romans 13:9 Quote from Lev. 19:18.
  15. Romans 14:2 any kind of food The Jewish law said there were some foods that Jews could not eat. When they became followers of Christ, some of them did not understand that they could now eat all foods.
  16. Romans 15:3 Quote from Ps. 69:9.
  17. Romans 15:7 honor Or “glory.” See “glory” in the Word List.
  18. Romans 15:12 Jesse’s family Jesse was the father of David, king of Israel. Jesus was from their family.
  19. Romans 16:7 most important … work Literally, “important among (or to) the apostles.”
  20. Romans 16:16 the special greeting of God’s people Literally, “a holy kiss.”
  21. Romans 16:24 Some Greek copies add verse 24: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
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Romans 10-16
New International Version

10 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire(A) and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous(B) for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.(C) 4 Christ is the culmination of the law(D) so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.(E)

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a](F) 6 But the righteousness that is by faith(G) says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b](H) (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c](I) (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).(J) 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d](K) that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare(L) with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”(M) and believe(N) in your heart that God raised him from the dead,(O) you will be saved.(P) 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e](Q) 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile(R)—the same Lord is Lord of all(S) and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord(T) will be saved.”[f](U)

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[g](V)

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.(W) For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[h](X) 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,(Y) and the message is heard through the word about Christ.(Z) 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.”[i](AA)

19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,

“I will make you envious(AB) by those who are not a nation;
    I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”[j](AC)

20 And Isaiah boldly says,

“I was found by those who did not seek me;
    I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”[k](AD)

21 But concerning Israel he says,

“All day long I have held out my hands
    to a disobedient and obstinate people.”[l](AE)

The Remnant of Israel

11 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means!(AF) I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham,(AG) from the tribe of Benjamin.(AH) 2 God did not reject his people,(AI) whom he foreknew.(AJ) Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”[m]?(AK) 4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”[n](AL) 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant(AM) chosen by grace.(AN) 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works;(AO) if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain.(AP) The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,(AQ) 8 as it is written:

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
    eyes that could not see
    and ears that could not hear,(AR)
to this very day.”[o](AS)

9 And David says:

“May their table become a snare and a trap,
    a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,(AT)
    and their backs be bent forever.”[p](AU)

Ingrafted Branches

11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all!(AV) Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles(AW) to make Israel envious.(AX) 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles,(AY) how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!

13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles,(AZ) I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy(BA) and save(BB) some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation(BC) to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?(BD) 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits(BE) is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 If some of the branches have been broken off,(BF) and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others(BG) and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.(BH) 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith.(BI) Do not be arrogant,(BJ) but tremble.(BK) 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22 Consider therefore the kindness(BL) and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue(BM) in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.(BN) 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.(BO) 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree,(BP) how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

All Israel Will Be Saved

25 I do not want you to be ignorant(BQ) of this mystery,(BR) brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited:(BS) Israel has experienced a hardening(BT) in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,(BU) 26 and in this way[q] all Israel will be saved.(BV) As it is written:

“The deliverer will come from Zion;
    he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[r] my covenant with them
    when I take away their sins.”[s](BW)

28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies(BX) for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,(BY) 29 for God’s gifts and his call(BZ) are irrevocable.(CA) 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient(CB) to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[t] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience(CC) so that he may have mercy on them all.

Doxology

33 Oh, the depth of the riches(CD) of the wisdom and[u] knowledge of God!(CE)
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!(CF)
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”[v](CG)
35 “Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?”[w](CH)
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.(CI)
    To him be the glory forever! Amen.(CJ)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,(CK) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,(CL) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform(CM) to the pattern of this world,(CN) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.(CO) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is(CP)—his good, pleasing(CQ) and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

3 For by the grace given me(CR) I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,(CS) 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body,(CT) and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts,(CU) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,(CV) then prophesy in accordance with your[x] faith;(CW) 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;(CX) 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;(CY) if it is giving, then give generously;(CZ) if it is to lead,[y] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere.(DA) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.(DB) 10 Be devoted to one another in love.(DC) Honor one another above yourselves.(DD) 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,(DE) serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,(DF) patient in affliction,(DG) faithful in prayer.(DH) 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.(DI) Practice hospitality.(DJ)

14 Bless those who persecute you;(DK) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.(DL) 16 Live in harmony with one another.(DM) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[z] Do not be conceited.(DN)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(DO) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.(DP) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(DQ) 19 Do not take revenge,(DR) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[aa](DS) says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[ab](DT)

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

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,(DU) for there is no authority except that which God has established.(DV) The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,(DW) and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.(DX) 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.(DY) 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.(DZ)

6 This is also why you pay taxes,(EA) for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes;(EB) if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love Fulfills the Law

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.(EC) 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[ac](ED) and whatever other command there may be, are summed up(EE) in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[ad](EF) 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.(EG)

The Day Is Near

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come(EH) for you to wake up from your slumber,(EI) because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.(EJ) So let us put aside the deeds of darkness(EK) and put on the armor(EL) of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness,(EM) not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.(EN) 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,(EO) and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[ae](EP)

The Weak and the Strong

14 Accept the one whose faith is weak,(EQ) without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.(ER) 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt(ES) the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge(ET) the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?(EU) To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

5 One person considers one day more sacred than another;(EV) another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God;(EW) and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone,(EX) and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.(EY) 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life(EZ) so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.(FA)

10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[af]? Or why do you treat them with contempt?(FB) For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.(FC) 11 It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’(FD) says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”[ag](FE)

12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.(FF)

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment(FG) on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.(FH) 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.(FI) But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.(FJ) 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.(FK) Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.(FL) 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.(FM) 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,(FN) but of righteousness, peace(FO) and joy in the Holy Spirit,(FP) 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.(FQ)

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace(FR) and to mutual edification.(FS) 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.(FT) All food is clean,(FU) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.(FV) 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.(FW)

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn(FX) himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts(FY) is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.[ah]

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak(FZ) and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,(GA) to build them up.(GB) 3 For even Christ did not please himself(GC) but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[ai](GD) 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,(GE) so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind(GF) toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify(GG) the God and Father(GH) of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another,(GI) then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[aj](GJ) on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises(GK) made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles(GL) might glorify God(GM) for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”[ak](GN)

10 Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”[al](GO)

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”[am](GP)

12 And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse(GQ) will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”[an](GR)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace(GS) as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(GT)

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness,(GU) filled with knowledge(GV) and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me(GW) 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles.(GX) He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God,(GY) so that the Gentiles might become an offering(GZ) acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus(HA) in my service to God.(HB) 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles(HC) to obey God(HD) by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders,(HE) through the power of the Spirit of God.(HF) So from Jerusalem(HG) all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.(HH) 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel(HI) where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.(HJ) 21 Rather, as it is written:

“Those who were not told about him will see,
    and those who have not heard will understand.”[ao](HK)

22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.(HL)

Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you,(HM) 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain.(HN) I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist(HO) me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem(HP) in the service(HQ) of the Lord’s people(HR) there. 26 For Macedonia(HS) and Achaia(HT) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.(HU) 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.(HV) 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain(HW) and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you,(HX) I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit,(HY) to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.(HZ) 31 Pray that I may be kept safe(IA) from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution(IB) I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people(IC) there, 32 so that I may come to you(ID) with joy, by God’s will,(IE) and in your company be refreshed.(IF) 33 The God of peace(IG) be with you all. Amen.

Personal Greetings

16 I commend(IH) to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[ap][aq] of the church in Cenchreae.(II) 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord(IJ) in a way worthy of his people(IK) and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

3 Greet Priscilla[ar] and Aquila,(IL) my co-workers(IM) in Christ Jesus.(IN) 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.(IO)

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert(IP) to Christ in the province of Asia.(IQ)

6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews(IR) who have been in prison with me.(IS) They are outstanding among[as] the apostles, and they were in Christ(IT) before I was.

8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ,(IU) and my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.(IV)

Greet those who belong to the household(IW) of Aristobulus.

11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.(IX)

Greet those in the household(IY) of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.

Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus,(IZ) chosen(JA) in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.

15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people(JB) who are with them.(JC)

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.(JD)

All the churches of Christ send greetings.

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.(JE) Keep away from them.(JF) 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ,(JG) but their own appetites.(JH) By smooth talk and flattery they deceive(JI) the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard(JJ) about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.(JK)

20 The God of peace(JL) will soon crush(JM) Satan(JN) under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.(JO)

21 Timothy,(JP) my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius,(JQ) Jason(JR) and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.(JS)

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

23 Gaius,(JT) whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.

Erastus,(JU) who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] [at]

25 Now to him who is able(JV) to establish you in accordance with my gospel,(JW) the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery(JX) hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings(JY) by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[au] faith(JZ)— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.(KA)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 10:5 Lev. 18:5
  2. Romans 10:6 Deut. 30:12
  3. Romans 10:7 Deut. 30:13
  4. Romans 10:8 Deut. 30:14
  5. Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16 (see Septuagint)
  6. Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32
  7. Romans 10:15 Isaiah 52:7
  8. Romans 10:16 Isaiah 53:1
  9. Romans 10:18 Psalm 19:4
  10. Romans 10:19 Deut. 32:21
  11. Romans 10:20 Isaiah 65:1
  12. Romans 10:21 Isaiah 65:2
  13. Romans 11:3 1 Kings 19:10,14
  14. Romans 11:4 1 Kings 19:18
  15. Romans 11:8 Deut. 29:4; Isaiah 29:10
  16. Romans 11:10 Psalm 69:22,23
  17. Romans 11:26 Or and so
  18. Romans 11:27 Or will be
  19. Romans 11:27 Isaiah 59:20,21; 27:9 (see Septuagint); Jer. 31:33,34
  20. Romans 11:31 Some manuscripts do not have now.
  21. Romans 11:33 Or riches and the wisdom and the
  22. Romans 11:34 Isaiah 40:13
  23. Romans 11:35 Job 41:11
  24. Romans 12:6 Or the
  25. Romans 12:8 Or to provide for others
  26. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
  27. Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
  28. Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22
  29. Romans 13:9 Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21
  30. Romans 13:9 Lev. 19:18
  31. Romans 13:14 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.
  32. Romans 14:10 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verses 13, 15 and 21.
  33. Romans 14:11 Isaiah 45:23
  34. Romans 14:23 Some manuscripts place 16:25-27 here; others after 15:33.
  35. Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9
  36. Romans 15:8 Greek circumcision
  37. Romans 15:9 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49
  38. Romans 15:10 Deut. 32:43
  39. Romans 15:11 Psalm 117:1
  40. Romans 15:12 Isaiah 11:10 (see Septuagint)
  41. Romans 15:21 Isaiah 52:15 (see Septuagint)
  42. Romans 16:1 Or servant
  43. Romans 16:1 The word deacon refers here to a Christian designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Phil. 1:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.
  44. Romans 16:3 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
  45. Romans 16:7 Or are esteemed by
  46. Romans 16:24 Some manuscripts include here May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.
  47. Romans 16:26 Or that is
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