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Romans
Chapter 1
1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God,2which he promised beforehand by his prophets in the holy scriptures,3concerning his Son who was a descendant of David according to the flesh.4Through the Spirit of holiness he was declared with power to be the Son of God by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.5Through him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations, for the sake of his name.6Among these nations, you also have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.7To all in Rome who are beloved of God and called to be his holy people: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.9For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, of how continually I make mention of you.10I always request in my prayers that by any means I may at last be successful now by the will of God in coming to you.11For I desire to see you, that I may give you some spiritual gift, in order to strengthen you.12That is, I long to be mutually encouraged among you, through each other's faith, yours and mine.13Now I do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, that I often intended to come to you (but I was hindered until now), in order to have some fruit among you also, just as I have had among the rest of the Gentiles.14I am a debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.15So, as for me, I am ready to proclaim the gospel also to you who are in Rome.16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and for the Greek.17For in it God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, as it has been written, "The righteous will live by faith."18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who through unrighteousness hold back the truth.19This is because that which is known about God is visible to them. For God has enlightened them.20For ever since the creation of the world, his invisible qualities, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, having been discerned in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.21This is because, although they knew about God, they did not glorify him as God, nor did they give him thanks. Instead, they became foolish in their thoughts, and their senseless hearts were darkened.22They claimed to be wise, but they became foolish.23They exchanged the glory of the imperishable God for the likenesses of an image of perishable man, of birds, of four-footed beasts, and of creeping things.24Therefore God delivered them over to the lusts of their hearts for uncleanness, for their bodies to be dishonored among themselves.25It is they who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and who worshiped and served the creation instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.26Because of this, God delivered them over to dishonorable lusts, for their women exchanged natural relations for those that were unnatural.27In the same way, the men also left their natural relations with women and burned in their lust for one another. These were men who committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the penalty they deserved for their error.28And just as they did not approve of having God in their awareness, he gave them up to a corrupted mind, for them to do those things that are not proper.29They have been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, and malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and evil intentions. They are gossips,30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventing ways of doing evil; they are disobedient to parents.31They are senseless, faithless, heartless, and unmerciful.32They understand the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death. But not only do they do these things, they also approve of others who do them.
Chapter 2
1Therefore you are without excuse, you person, you who judge, for in things for which you judge the other person, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things.2But we know that God's judgment is according to truth when it falls on those who practice such things.3But consider this, you person, you who judge those who practice such things although you do the same things. Will you escape from the judgment of God?4Or do you think so little of the riches of his kindness, his delayed punishment, and his patience? Do you not know that his kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?5But it is to the extent of your hardness and unrepentant heart that you are storing up for yourself wrath on the day of wrath, that is, the day of the revelation of God's righteous judgment.6He will pay back to every person according to his actions:7to those who according to the perseverance of good deeds have sought glory, honor, and incorruptibility, he will give eternal life.8But to those who are self-seeking, who disobey the truth but obey unrighteousness, wrath and fierce anger will come.9God will bring tribulation and distress on every human soul that has practiced evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.10But glory, honor, and peace will come to everyone who practices good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.11For there is no partiality with God.12For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and as many as have sinned with respect to the law will be judged by the law.13For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be justified.14For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things of the law, they are a law to themselves, although they do not have the law.15By this they show that the actions required by the law are written in their hearts. Their conscience also bears witness to them, and their own thoughts either accuse or defend them16on the day when God will judge the secrets of all people, according to my gospel, through Jesus Christ.17But if you say that you are a Jew and rest upon the law and boast in God,18and know his will and approve of what is excellent because you have been instructed from the law;19and if you are convinced that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, and that you have in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth, then how does this affect the way you live your life?21You who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?22You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who hate idols, do you rob temples?23You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by transgressing the law?24For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," just as it has been written.25For circumcision is profitable to you if you obey the law, but if you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.26If, then, the uncircumcised person keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be considered as circumcision?27And will not the one who is naturally uncircumcised condemn you if he fulfills the law? This is because you have the written law and circumcision, yet you are a transgressor of the law!28For he is not a Jew who is merely one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is merely outward in the flesh.29But he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter. The praise of such a person comes not from people but from God.
Chapter 3
1Then what advantage does the Jew have? And what is the benefit of circumcision?2It is great in every way. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with revelation from God.3For what if some Jews were without faith? Will their unbelief nullify God's faithfulness?4May it never be. Instead, let God be found to be true, even though every man is a liar. As it has been written,
"That you might be shown to be righteous in your words,
and that you might prevail when you come into judgment."
5But if our unrighteousness shows the righteousness of God, what can we say? Can we say that God is unrighteous to bring his wrath upon us? (I am using a human argument.)6May it never be! For then how would God judge the world?7But if through my lie the truth of God increases his glory, why am I still being judged as a sinner?8Why not say, as we are slandered as saying, and as some affirm that we say, "Let us do evil, so that good may come"? Their condemnation is just.9What then? Are we excusing ourselves? Not at all. For we have already accused both Jews and Greeks, all of them, of being under sin.10This is as it is written:“No one is righteous, not one;
11there is no one who understands;there is no one who seeks God.
12They have all turned away; together they have become useless.
There is no one who does good, no,
not even one.”
13"Their throat is an open grave.Their tongues have deceived.
The poison of snakes is under their lips.”
14"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” 15"Their feet are swift to pour out blood.
16Destruction and suffering are in their paths.
17These people have not known a way of peace."
18"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
19Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to the ones who are under the law, so that every mouth may be shut, and the whole world held accountable to God.20For no flesh will be justified by the works of the law in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.21But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been revealed, to which the Law and the Prophets bear witness—22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe. For there is no distinction,23for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,24and they are freely justified by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.25For God provided Christ Jesus as an atoning sacrifice through faith in his blood. He offered Christ as proof of his justice, because of his disregard of previous sins26in his patience. This was to show his righteousness at this present time, so he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.27Where then is boasting? It is excluded. Through what kind of law? Of works? No, but through a law of faith.28We conclude then that a person is justified by faith without works of the law.29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not also the God of Gentiles? Yes, of Gentiles also.30If, indeed, God is one, he will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.31Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! Instead, we uphold the law.Chapter 4
1What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, found?2For if Abraham had been justified by works, he would have had a reason to boast, but not before God.3For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."4Now for him who labors, his wage is not counted as a gift, but as what is owed.5But for him who does not work but instead believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.6David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness without works.7He says,"Blessed are those
whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered.
8Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count sin."
9Then is this blessing pronounced only on those of the circumcision, or also on those of the uncircumcision? For we say, "Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness."10How was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before!11Abraham received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them.12He is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.13For the promise to Abraham and to his descendants that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.14For if those who live by the law are to be the heirs, faith is made empty, and the promise does nothing.15For the law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there is no transgression.16For this reason it is by faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all of Abraham's descendants—not only to those who are under the law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all,17as it is written, "I have appointed you the father of many nations." Abraham was in the presence of him whom he trusted, that is, God, who gives life to the dead and calls the things that do not exist into existence.18In hope he believed against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what he had been told, "So will your descendants be."19Without becoming weak in faith, he considered his own body as dead (because he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.20But because of God's promise, Abraham did not hesitate in unbelief. Instead, he was strengthened in faith and gave glory to God.21He was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to accomplish.22Therefore this was also "counted to him as righteousness."23But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone.24They were written also for us, and it will be counted to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.25This is the one who was delivered up for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.Chapter 5
1Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.2Through him we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God.3Not only this, but we also boast in our tribulations. We know that tribulation brings about perseverance.4Perseverance produces character, and character produces hope,5and hope does not make ashamed because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who was given to us.6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.7For one will hardly die for a righteous person, though perhaps someone would dare to die for a good person.8But God proves his own love toward us, because while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.9Much more, then, now that we are justified by his blood, we will be saved by him from the wrath of God.10For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, after having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.11Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we now have received this reconciliation.12So then, as through one man sin entered into the world, in this way death entered through sin. And death spread to all people, because all sinned.13For until the law, sin was in the world, but there is no accounting for sin when there is no law.14Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin like Adam's disobedience, who is a pattern of him who was to come.15But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the trespass of one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound for the many!16For the gift is not like the outcome of that one man's sin. The judgment followed one trespass and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.17For if, by the trespass of the one, death ruled through the one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.18So then, as one trespass led to condemnation for all people, so also through the one act of righteousness came justification and life for all people.19For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one will the many be made righteous.20But the law came in to increase the trespass. But where sin abounded, grace abounded even more.21This happened so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness for everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Chapter 6
1What then will we say? Should we continue in sin so that grace may abound?2May it never be. We who died to sin, how can we still live in it?3Do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4We were buried, then, with him through baptism into death. This happened in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we might walk in newness of life.5For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be united with his resurrection.6We know this, that our old man was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be destroyed. This happened so that we should no longer be enslaved to sin.7He who has died is declared righteous with respect to sin.8But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live together with him.9We know that since Christ has been raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer rules over him.10For in regard to the death that he died to sin, he died once for all. However, the life that he lives, he lives for God.11In the same way, you also must consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.12Therefore do not let sin rule in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts.13Do not present the members of your bodies to sin, to be tools used for unrighteousness. But present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present the members of your bodies to God as tools to be used for righteousness.14Do not allow sin to rule over you. For you are not under law, but under grace.15What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law, but under grace? May it never be.16Do you not know that if you present yourselves as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey? You are either slaves to sin, which leads to death, or slaves to obedience, which leads to righteousness.17But thanks be to God! For you were slaves of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart the pattern of teaching that you were given.18You have been made free from sin, and you have been made slaves of righteousness.19I speak like a man because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented the members of your bodies as slaves to uncleanness and to lawlessness, resulting in more lawlessness, in the same way, now present the members of your bodies as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.20For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.21At that time, what fruit then did you have of the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.22But now that you have been made free from sin and are enslaved to God, you have your fruit for sanctification. The result is eternal life.23For the wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Chapter 7
1Or do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to people who know about law), that the law rules over a person for whatever time he lives?2For the married woman is bound by law to the husband while he lives, but if the husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.3So then, while her husband is living, if she lives with another man, she will be called an adulteress. But if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so she is not an adulteress if she lives with another man.4Therefore, my brothers, you were also made dead to the law through the body of Christ. This is so that you could be joined to another, that is, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might produce fruit for God.5For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in the members of our bodies to bear fruit for death.6But now we have been released from the law. We have died to that by which we were bound. This is so that we might serve in newness of the Spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.7What will we say then? Is the law itself sin? May it never be. However, I would never have known sin, if it were not through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law said, "You must not covet."8But sin took the opportunity through the commandment and produced every kind of coveting in me. For apart from the law, sin was dead.9At one time I was alive without the law, but when the commandment came, sin regained life10and I died. The commandment that was to bring life turned out to be death for me.11For sin took the opportunity through the commandment and deceived me. Through the commandment it killed me.12So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.13So did what is good become death to me? May it never be. But sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin, brought about death in me through what was good, and through the commandment sin might become sinful beyond measure.14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh. I have been sold under slavery to sin.15For what I do, I do not really understand. For what I want to do, I do not do, and what I hate, I do.16But if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law that the law is good.17But now it is no longer I who do it, but the sin that lives in me.18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) lives no good thing. For the desire for good is with me, but I cannot do it.19For the good that I want, I do not do, but the evil that I do not want, that I do.20Now if I do what I do not want to do, then it is no longer I who am acting, but rather sin that lives in me.21So, I find this law: When I want to do good, evil is present with me.22For I rejoice in the law of God with my inner person.23But I see a different law in the members of my body. It fights against that new law in my mind. It takes me captive by the law of sin that is in the members of my body.24I am a miserable man! Who will deliver me from this body of death?25But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind. However, with the flesh I serve the law of sin.
Chapter 8
1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.3For what the law was unable to do because it was weak through the flesh, God did. He sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be an offering for sin, and he condemned sin in the flesh.4He did this in order that the requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us, we who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.5Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.6For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.7The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God, for it does not submit to God's law, nor is it able to do so.8Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.9However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed God's Spirit lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him.10If Christ is in you, the body is dead with respect to sin, but the spirit is alive with respect to righteousness.11If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.12So then, brothers, we are debtors, but not to the flesh to live according to the flesh.13For if you live according to the flesh, you are about to die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the body's actions, you will live.14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.15You did not receive a spirit of slavery so that you live in fear again; but you received the Spirit of adoption, by which we cry, "Abba, Father!"16The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.17If we are children, then we are also heirs—heirs of God. And we are joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us.19For the eager expectation of the creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God.20For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope21that the creation itself will be delivered from slavery to decay, and that it will be brought into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.22For we know that the whole creation groans and labors in pain together even now.23Not only that, but even we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our body.24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he can see?25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.26In the same way, the Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groans.27He who searches out the hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes on behalf of God's holy people according to the will of God.28We know that for those who love God, he works all things together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.29Because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.30Those whom he predestined, these he also called. Those whom he called, these he also justified. Those whom he justified, these he also glorified.31What, therefore, can we say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?32He who did not spare his own Son but delivered him up on behalf of us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things?33Who will bring any accusation against God's chosen ones? God is the one who justifies.34Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?36Just as it is written,
"For your benefit we are killed all day long.
We were considered as sheep for the slaughter."
37In all these things we are more than conquerors through the one who loved us.38For I have been convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor governments, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Chapter 9
1I tell the truth in Christ. I do not lie, and my conscience bears witness with me in the Holy Spirit2that for me there is great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart.3For I could wish that I myself would be cursed and set apart from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.4They are Israelites. They have adoption, the glory, the covenants, the gift of the law, the ministry in the temple, and the promises.5Theirs are the patriarchs from whom Christ has come with respect to the flesh—he who is God over all. May he be praised forever. Amen.6But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For it is not everyone in Israel who truly belongs to Israel.7Neither are all Abraham's descendants truly his children. But "It is through Isaac that your descendants will be called."8That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God. But the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.9For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come, and a son will be given to Sarah."10Not only this, but after Rebekah also had conceived by one man, our father Isaac—11for the children were not yet born and had not yet done anything good or bad, so that the purpose of God according to choice might stand,12not because of actions, but because of him who calls—it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger."13It is just as had been written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."14What then will we say? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be.15For he says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."
16So then, it is not because of him who wills, nor because of him who runs, but because of God, who shows mercy.17For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, so that I might demonstrate my power in you, and so that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."18So then, God has mercy on whom he wishes, and whom he wishes, he makes stubborn.19You will say then to me, "Why does he still find fault? For who has ever withstood his will?"20On the contrary, man, who are you who answers against God? Will what has been molded say to the one who molds it, "Why did you make me this way?"21Does the potter not have the right over the clay to make from the same lump a container for honorable use, and another container for dishonorable use?22What if God, who is willing to show his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience containers of wrath prepared for destruction?23What if he did this in order that he might make known the riches of his glory upon containers of mercy, which he had previously prepared for glory?24What if he did this also for us, whom he also called, not only from among the Jews, but also from among the Gentiles?25As he says also in Hosea:
"I will call them 'my people' who were not my people,
and her 'beloved' who was not beloved.
26Then it will be that where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,'
there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"
27Isaiah cries out concerning Israel,
"Though the number of the sons of Israel were as the sand of the sea,
it will be a remnant that will be saved,
28for the Lord will execute his word on the earth completely and without delay."
29As Isaiah had said previously,
"If the Lord of hosts
had not left us descendants,
we would be like Sodom,
and we would have become like Gomorrah."
30What will we say then? That the Gentiles, who were not pursuing righteousness, laid hold of righteousness, the righteousness by faith.31But Israel, who did pursue a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.32Why not? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if by works. They stumbled over the stone of stumbling,33as it has been written,
"Look, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling
and a rock of offense.
He who believes in it will not be ashamed."
Chapter 10
1Brothers, my heart's desire and my plea to God is for them, for their salvation.2For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.3For, failing to understand the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God's righteousness.4For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness for everyone who believes.5For Moses writes about the righteousness that comes from the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."6But the righteousness that comes from faith says this: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down);7"and do not say, 'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).8But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart." That is the word of faith, which we proclaim.9For if with your mouth you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10For with the heart one believes and has righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.11For scripture says, "Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame."12For there is no difference between Jew and Greek. For the same Lord is Lord of all, and he is rich to all who call upon him.13For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.14How then can they call on him in whom they have not believed? How can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? How can they hear without a preacher?15Then how can they preach, unless they are sent?—As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim good news!"16But not all of them obeyed the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.18But I say, "Did they not hear?" Yes, most certainly.
"Their sound has gone out into all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world."
19Moreover, I say, "Did Israel not know?" First Moses says,
"I will provoke you to jealousy by what is not a nation.
By means of a nation without understanding, I will stir you up to anger."
20Then Isaiah was very bold when he says,
"I was found by those who did not seek me.
I appeared to those who did not ask for me."
21But to Israel he says,
"All the day long I reached out my hands
to a disobedient and stubborn people."
Chapter 11
1I say then, did God reject his people? May it never be. For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.2God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleaded with God against Israel?3"Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life."4But what does God's answer say to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bent the knee to Baal."5Even so then, at this present time also there is a remnant because of the choice of grace.6But if it is by grace, it is no longer based on works. Otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 7What then? The thing that Israel was seeking, it did not obtain, but the chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened.8It is just as it is written:
"God has given them a spirit of dullness,
eyes so that they should not see,
and ears so that they should not hear,
to this very day."
9Then David says,
"Let their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10Let their eyes be darkened so that they may not see,and bend their backs continually."
11I say then, "Did they stumble so as to fall?" May it never be. Instead, by their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles, in order to provoke them to jealousy.12Now if their trespass is the riches of the world, and if their loss is the riches of the Gentiles, how much greater will their fulfillment be?13But now I am speaking to you Gentiles, and as long as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry.14Perhaps I will provoke to jealousy those who are of my own flesh. Perhaps we will save some of them.15For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?16If the firstfruits are holy, so is the lump of dough. If the root is holy, so are the branches.17But if some of the branches were broken off, if you, a wild olive branch, were grafted in among them, and if you shared with them in the rich root of the olive tree,18do not boast over the branches. But if you do boast, it is not you who supports the root, but the root that supports you.19You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."20That is true. Because of their unbelief they were broken off, but you stand firm because of your faith. Do not be arrogant in your thoughts, but fear.21For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.22Look at, then, the kind actions and the severity of God: severity came on the Jews who fell, but God's kindness comes on you, if you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.23And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again.24For if you were cut out of what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a good olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree?25For I do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, of this mystery, so that you may not be wise in your own thinking: A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the full number of the Gentiles comes in.26Thus all Israel will be saved, just as it is written:
"Out of Zion will come the Deliverer.
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob,
27and this will be my covenant with them,when I will take away their sins."
28As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake. But as far as election is concerned, they are beloved because of the patriarchs.29For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.30For just as you were formerly disobedient to God, now you have received mercy because of their disobedience.31In the same way, now these Jews have been disobedient. The result was that by the mercy shown to you they may also now receive mercy.32For God has shut up all into disobedience in order that he might show mercy on all.
33Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments,
and his ways beyond discovering!
34"For who has known the mind of the Lordor who has become his advisor?
35Or who has first given anything to God,that God must repay him?"
36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.
Chapter 12
1I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. This is your reasonable service.2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Do this so that you can test and approve what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.3For by the grace that was given to me I say to everyone among you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather, think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has given you.4For we have many members in one body, but not all the members have the same function.5In the same way, we who are many are one body in Christ, and are individually members of each other.6We have different gifts according to the grace that was given to us. If one's gift is prophecy, let it be done according to the proportion of his faith.7If one's gift is service, let him serve. If one has the gift of teaching, let him teach.8If one's gift is encouragement, let him encourage. If one's gift is giving, let him do it generously. If one's gift is leading, let it be done with diligence. If one's gift is in showing mercy, let it be done with cheerfulness.9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; hold on to that which is good.10Concerning love of the brothers, be affectionate to one another. Concerning honor, respect one another.11Concerning diligence, do not be hesitant. Concerning the spirit, be eager. Concerning the Lord, serve him.12Rejoice in hope, endure tribulation, be faithful in prayer.13Share in the needs of God's holy people. Find many ways to show hospitality.14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.16Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not think in proud ways, but accept lowly people. Do not be wise in your own thoughts.17Repay no one evil for evil. Do good things in the sight of all people.18If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with all people.19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but give way to the wrath of God. For it is written, "'Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,' says the Lord."
20But "if your enemy is hungry, feed him.If he is thirsty, give him a drink.
For if you do this, you will heap coals of fire on his head."
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.Chapter 13
1Let every soul be subject to higher authorities, for there is no authority unless it comes from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.2Therefore he who rebels against that authority opposes the command of God; and those who oppose it will receive judgment on themselves.3For rulers are not a terror to those who do good deeds, but to those who do evil deeds. Do you desire to have no fear of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will receive his praise.4For he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for he does not carry the sword for no reason. For he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath on the one who does evil.5Therefore you must be subject, not only because of the wrath, but also because of conscience.6Because of this you pay taxes also. For authorities are servants of God, who attend to this very thing continually.7Pay to everyone what is owed to them: tax to whom tax is due, toll to whom toll is due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due.8Owe no one anything, except to love one another. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.9The commandments, "Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet," and if there is any other commandment it is summed up in this, "Love your neighbor as yourself."10Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.11Because of this, you know the time, that it is already the hour for you to awake out of sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.12The night has advanced, and the day is near. Let us therefore put aside the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.13Let us walk appropriately, as in the day, not in drunken celebrations or drunkenness; and let us not walk in sexual immorality or in uncontrolled lust, and not in strife or jealousy.14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its lusts.
Chapter 14
1Receive anyone who is weak in faith, without giving judgment about arguments.2One person has faith to eat anything, another who is weak eats only vegetables.3May the one who eats everything not despise the one who does not; and may the one who does not eat everything not judge the other who eats everything. For God has accepted him.4Who are you, you who judge a servant belonging to someone else? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. But he will be made to stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.5One person values one day above another. Another has concluded that every day is equal. Let each person be convinced in his own mind.6He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord; and he who eats, eats for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God. He who does not eat, refrains from eating for the Lord; he also gives thanks to God.7For none of us lives for himself, and none dies for himself.8For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Then whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.9For to this purpose Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and those who are living.10But you, why do you judge your brother? And you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.11For it is written,
"As I live," says the Lord,
"to me every knee will bend,
and every tongue will confess to God."
12So then, each one of us will give an account of himself to God.13Therefore, let us no longer judge one another, but instead decide this, that no one will place a stumbling block or a snare for his brother.14I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean by itself. Only for him who considers anything to be unclean, for him it is unclean.15If because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food one for whom Christ died.16So do not allow what you consider to be good to be spoken of as evil.17For the kingdom of God is not about food and drink, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.18For the one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by people.19So then, let us pursue the things of peace and the things that build up one another.20Do not destroy the work of God on account of food. All things are clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone to stumble.21It is good not to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything over which your brother stumbles.22The faith you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.23He who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it is not from faith. And whatever is not from faith is sin.
Chapter 15
1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and ought not to please ourselves.2Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, in order to build him up.3For even Christ did not please himself. Instead, it was just as it is written, "The insults of those who insulted you fell on me."4For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction in order that through patience and through encouragement of the scriptures we would have hope.5Now may the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with each other according to Christ Jesus.6May he do this in order that with one mind you may glorify with one mouth the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.7Therefore receive one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God.8For I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision on behalf of God's truth, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,9and for the Gentiles to glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
"Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles
and sing praise to your name."
10Again it says,
"Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people."
11And again,
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples praise him."
12Again, Isaiah says,
"The root of Jesse will come,
the one who rises to rule over the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles will have hope."
13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.14I myself am also convinced about you, my brothers. I am convinced that also you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge. I am convinced that you are also able to instruct one another.15But I am writing more boldly to you about some things in order to remind you again, because of the grace given me by God.16This grace was that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus sent to the Gentiles, to offer as a priest the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.17In Christ Jesus I have reason to boast of my service for God.18For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me for the obedience of the Gentiles. These are things done by word and action,19by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. This was so that from Jerusalem, and round about as far as Illyricum, I might fully carry out the gospel of Christ.20In this way, my desire has been to proclaim the gospel, but not where Christ is known by name, in order that I might not build upon another man's foundation.21It is as it is written:
"Those to whom no report of him came will see him,
and those who have not heard will understand."
22Therefore I was also hindered many times from coming to you.23But now, I no longer have any place in these regions, and I have been longing for many years to come to you.24I hope to see you when I pass through there on my way to Spain, and to be helped by you on my journey there, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.25But now I am going to Jerusalem, serving God's holy people.26For it was the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution to the poor among God's holy people who are in Jerusalem.27Yes, it was their good pleasure, and they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they owe it to the Jews to minister to them with their material things.28Therefore, when I have completed this task and have made sure that they receive all that was collected, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.29I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.30Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.31Pray that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to God's holy people.32Pray that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and that I may, together with you, find rest.33May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Chapter 16
1I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is in Cenchreae,2in order that you may receive her in the Lord. Do this in a manner worthy of God's holy people, and provide her with whatever help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many and to myself as well.3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,4who for my life risked their own lives. I give thanks to them, and not only I, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.5Greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus my beloved, who is the firstfruit of Asia to Christ.6Greet Mary, who has labored hard for you.7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners. They are well known among the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.8Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.10Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.11Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, laborers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has labored much in the Lord.13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all God's holy people who are with them.16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.17Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned. Turn away from them.18For people such as these do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own stomach. By their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent.19For your example of obedience reaches everyone. I rejoice, therefore, over you, but I want you to be wise as to that which is good, and innocent to that which is evil.20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen.22I, Tertius, who write this epistle down, greet you in the Lord.23Gaius, the host for me and for the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, with Quartus the brother.24
25Now to him who is able to make you strong according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,according to the revelation of the mystery that had been kept secret for long ages
26but now has been revealed and made known through the prophetic writings to all nations,by the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—
27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever. Amen.
