UNTO THE ROMANS
[1] PAUL, bondman of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, [2] which he promised afore through his :prophets in the holy scriptures, [3] concerning his :Son, who came of the seed of David according to the flesh, [4] determined as the Son of God with1 power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from2 the dead; even Jesus Christ our :Lord, [5] through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his :name's sake; [6] among whom are ye also, called Jesus Christ's: [7] to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[8] First, then, I thank my :God through Jesus Christ for you all, that3 your :faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. [9] For :God is my witness, whom I serve in my :spirit in the gospel of his :Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my :prayers [10] making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by4 the will of :God to come unto you. [11] For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; [12] that is, that I with you be comforted in5 you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. [13] And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that often I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered :hitherto), that I might have some fruit in5 you also, even as in5 the rest of the nations.
[14] I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to wise and to foolish. [15] So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach6 the gospel to you also that are in Rome. [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to Jew first, and also to Greek. [17] For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous man shall live by7 faith.
[18] For God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder1 the truth in unrighteousness; [19] because what is known of :God is manifest in them; for :God manifested it to them. [20] For his invisible things since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things made, even both his everlasting :power and divinity; that2 they may be without excuse: [21] because, knowing :God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their :reasonings, and their senseless :heart was darkened. [22] Professing to be wise, they became fools, [23] and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for a likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
[24] Wherefore :God gave them up in the lusts of their :hearts unto uncleanness, that their :bodies be dishonored among them: [25] for that they exchanged the truth of :God for a :lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed unto the ages. Amen.
[26] For this cause God gave them up unto passions of dishonor: for both their :women changed the natural use into what is against nature: [27] and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their :lust one toward another, men with men working :unseemliness, and receiving in themselves the needful recompense of their :error.
[28] And even as they refused3 to have :God in their knowledge, :God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do the things which are not fitting; [29] being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, [30] backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evils, disobedient to parents, [31] without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, merciless: [32] who, knowing the ordinance of :God, that who practise :such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but also consent with those practising them.
[1] Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest the other, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things. [2] And we know that the judgment of :God is according to truth against :those practising :such things. [3] And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest those practising :such things, and doest them, that thou shalt escape the judgment of :God? [4] Or despisest thou the riches of his :goodness and :forbearance and :longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of :God leadeth thee to repentance? [5] but after thy :hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of :God's righteous judgment, [6] who will render to every one according to his :works: [7] to them that by patience1 in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: [8] but to them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey :unrighteousness,—wrath and indignation, [9] tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh :evil, of Jew first, and also of Greek; [10] but glory and honor and peace to every one that worketh :good, to Jew first, and also to Greek: [11] for there is no respect of persons with :God.
[12] For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned under law shall be judged by law; [13] for not the hearers of law are just2 before :God, but the doers of law shall be justified;3 [14] (for when nations that have no law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having law, are law to themselves; [15] in that they show the work of the law written in their :hearts, their :conscience bearing witness therewith, and their4 thoughts5 one with another accusing or else excusing them); [16] in the day when :God judgeth6 the secrets of :men, according to my :gospel, by Jesus Christ.
[17] But if thou bearest the name of Jew, and restest upon law, and gloriest in God, [18] and knowest the Will, and approvest1 the excellent things, being instructed out of the law, [19] and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of those in darkness, [20] a2 corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having in the law the form of the :knowledge and of the truth; [21] who teachest therefore another, teachest thou not thyself? who preachest not to steal, dost thou steal? [22] who sayest not to commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? who abhorrest :idols, dost thou rob temples? [23] thou who gloriest in law, through the trangression of the law dishonorest thou God? [24] For the name of :God is blasphemed among the nations because of you, even as it is written. [25] For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be doer of law: but if thou be trangressor of law, thy :circumcision is become uncircumcision. [26] If therefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his :uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision? [27] and shall not the uncircumcision by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who with letter and circumcision art transgressor of law? [28] For he is not a Jew who is one :outwardly,3 neither is that circumcision which is outward3 in the flesh; [29] but he is a Jew who is one :inwardly;4 and circumcision is of heart, in spirit not in letter; whose :praise is not of men, but of :God.
[1] What the advantage then of the Jew? or what the profit of :circumcision?
[2] Much every way: for first, that they were intrusted with the oracles of :God.
[3] For what if some disbelieved? shall their :unbelief make void the faithfulness of :God?
[4] Be it not so: yea, let :God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written,
That thou mightest be justified in thy :words,
And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.
[5] But if our :unrighteousness commendeth God's righteousness, what shall we say? Is :God unrighteous who visiteth with :wrath? (I speak after the manner of man.) [6] Be it not so: for then how shall :God judge the world? [7] But if the truth of :God through my :lie abounded unto his :glory, why am I also still judged as sinner? [8] and why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say that), Let us do :evil,1 that :good1 may come? whose :condemnation is just.
[9] What then? are we better than they? Not at all: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that are all under sin;
[10] as it is written,
None is righteous, no, not one;
[11]There is none that understandeth,
There is none that seeketh after :God;
[12]All have turned aside, they are together become unprofitable;
There is none that doeth good, there is not so much as one:
[13]Their :throat is an open sepulchre;
With their :tongues they have used deceit:
Poison of asps is under their :lips:
[14]Whose :mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
[15]Their :feet swift to shed blood;
[16]Destruction and misery in their :ways;
[17]And the way of peace have they not known:
[18]No fear of God is before their :eyes.
[19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to those under the law; that every mouth be stopped, and all the world become under judgment before :God: [20] because by1 works of law shall no flesh be justified2 in his sight; for through law is knowledge of sin.
[21] But now apart from law God's righteousness hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; [22] even God's righteousness through faith in3 Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; [23] for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of :God; [24] being justified freely by his :grace through the redemption :in Christ Jesus: [25] whom :God set forth as propitiation, through faith, in his :blood, to show his :righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done afore, in the forbearance of :God; [26] for the showing, I say, of his :righteousness at the present season: that he might be just, and the justifier of him that hath4 faith in3 Jesus.
[27] Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of :works? Nay: but by a law of faith. [28] For we reckon a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. [29] Or is he :God of Jews only? not of the nations also? Yea, of the nations also: [30] if so be that :God is one, who shall justify circumcision out of faith, and uncircumcision through the faith.
[31] Do we then make law void through the faith? Be it not so: nay, we establish law.
[1] What then shall we say that Abraham, our :forefather, according to the flesh, hath found?
[2] For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.
[3] For what saith the scripture? And he—Abraham—believed :God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.
[4] Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.
[5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly one, his :faith is reckoned for righteousness.
[6] Even as David also pronounceth :blessing upon the man, to whom :God reckoneth righteousness apart from works,
[7] saying,
Blessed they whose :iniquities are forgiven,
And whose :sins are covered.
[8] Blessed the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin.
[9] Is this :blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To :Abraham his :faith was reckoned for righteousness. [10] How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision: [11] and he received a sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which was in uncircumcision: that he be father of all them that believe, in1 uncircumcision, that the righteousness might be reckoned to them; [12] and father of circumcision to them who not only are of circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of our :father Abraham's :faith which he had in uncircumcision. [13] For not through law was the promise to :Abraham or to his :seed that he should be heir of the world, but through righteousness of faith. [14] For if they of the law are heirs, :faith is made empty and the promise is made void: [15] for the law worketh wrath; but where no law is, neither is transgression. [16] For this cause it is of faith, that it be according to grace; to the end that the promise be sure to all the seed; not to that only of the law, but to that also which is of Abraham's faith (who is father of us all [17] as is written, that, I have made thee father of many nations), before him whom he believed, even God, who maketh alive the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they are. [18] Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he become father of many nations, according to what had been spoken, So shall thy :seed be. [19] And without weakening in :faith he considered his own :body now as good as dead (being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's :womb;2 [20] yet, looking unto the promise of :God, he wavered not through :unbelief, but waxed strong through :faith, giving glory to :God, [21] and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. [22] Wherefore also it was reckoned to him for righteousness. [23] Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned to him; [24] but for our sake also, to whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our :Lord from the dead, [25] who was delivered up for our :trespasses, and was raised for our :justification.
[1] Justified therefore by1 faith, let us have peace with :God through our :Lord Jesus Christ; [2] through whom also we have had the access by :faith into this :grace wherein we stand; and let us rejoice2 in hope of the glory of :God. [3] And not only so, but we3 also rejoice2 in :tribulations: knowing that :tribulation worketh stedfastness;4 [4] and :stedfastness, approvedness; and :approvedness, hope: [5] and :hope putteth not to shame; because the love of :God hath been shed5 abroad in our :hearts through the Holy Spirit :given us. [6] At least,6 we being yet weak, in due season Christ died for us ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die. [8] But :God commendeth his own :love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, justified now by7 his :blood, shall we be saved from the wrath through him. [10] For if, being enemies, we were reconciled to :God through the death of his :Son, much more, reconciled, shall we be saved by7 his :life; [11] and not only so, but8 we also rejoice in :God through our :Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
[12] Therefore, as through one man :sin entered into the world, and :death through :sin; and so :death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:— [13] for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not put to account when there is no law. [14] Nevertheless :death reigned from Adam till Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's :transgression, who is a figure of the one to come. [15] But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of :God, and the gift by grace which is of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many. [16] And not as through one that sinned, is the gift: for the judgment came of one unto condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses unto justification.9 [17] For if, by the trespass of the one, :death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of :righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ. [18] So then as through one trespass10 judgment is unto all men unto condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness11 the free gift came unto all men unto justification of life. [19] For as through the one man's :disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous. [20] And law came in besides, that the trespass abound; but where :sin abounded, :grace surpassed far more: [21] that, as :sin reigned in :death, even so might :grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our :Lord.
[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in :sin, that :grace may abound? [2] Be it not so. We who died to :sin, how shall we any longer live therein? [3] Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his :death? [4] We were buried therefore with him through :baptism into :death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have become united1 with him in the likeness of his :death, we shall yet be also in the likeness of the resurrection; [6] knowing this, that our old :man was crucified with him, that the body of :sin might be done away, that we should no longer be in bondage to :sin; [7] for who hath died is justified from :sin. [8] But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; [9] knowing2 that Christ raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more lords over him. [10] For in that he died, he died unto sin once for all: but in that he liveth, he liveth to :God. [11] Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to :God in Christ Jesus.
[12] Let not :sin therefore reign in your mortal :body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof: [13] neither present your :members to :sin as weapons of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to :God, as alive from the dead, and your :members as weapons of righteousness to :God. [14] For sin shall not lord it over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.
[15] What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? Be it not so. [16] Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as bondmen unto obedience, his bondmen ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness? [17] But thanks be to God, that, ye were bondmen of :sin, but became obedient from the heart to that pattern of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; [18] and, freed from :sin, ye came into bondage of :righteousness. [19] I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your :flesh: for as ye presented your :members as enslaved to :uncleanness, and to :lawlessness unto :lawlessness, even so now present your :members enslaved to :righteousness unto sanctification. [20] For when ye were bondmen of :sin, ye were free in regard of :righteousness. [21] What fruit therefore had ye then in the things ye are now ashamed of? for the end of those is death. [22] But now, freed from :sin and enslaved to :God, ye have your :fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life. [23] For the wages of :sin is death; but the free gift of :God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our :Lord.
[1] Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to those who know law), that the law is lord over the man for so long time as he liveth? [2] For the woman with a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband. [3] So then if, while the husband liveth, she be joined to another man,1 she shall be called an adulteress: but if the husband die, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she be joined to another man.1 [4] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of :Christ; that ye should be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto :God. [5] For when we were in the flesh, the passions of :sins (those through the law) wrought in our :members to bring forth fruit unto :death. [6] But now we have been discharged from the law, having died wherein we were held; so that we are bondmen in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of letter.
[7] What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Be it not so. Howbeit, I had not known :sin, except through law: for I had not known :lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not lust: [8] but :sin, taking occasion through the commandment wrought in me every lust: for apart from law sin is dead. [9] And I2 was alive apart from law once: but when the commandment came, :sin revived, and I2 died; [10] and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found unto death: [11] for :sin, taking occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me. [12] So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.
[13] Did then the good become death unto me? Be it not so. But :sin, that it appear sin, by working death unto me through the good;—that through the commandment :sin might become exceeding sinful. [14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I2 am carnal, sold under :sin. [15] For what I work I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do. [16] But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good.3 [17] So now it is no more I that work it, but :sin which dwelleth in me. [18] For I know that in me, that is, in my :flesh, dwelleth no good: for to will is present with me, but to work the good,3 no. [19] For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise. [20] But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that work it, but :sin which dwelleth in me. [21] I find then the law,4 that, to me who would do :good,3 to me :evil is present. [22] For I delight in5 the law of :God after the inward man: [23] but I see a different law in my :members, warring against the law of my :mind, and bringing me into captivity in the law of :sin which is in my :members. [24] Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the6 body of this :death? [25] But thanks to :God through Jesus Christ our :Lord, So then I myself with the mind, indeed, serve7 the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of :life in Christ Jesus hath freed thee from the law of :sin and of :death. [3] For what the law could not do, wherein it was weak through the flesh, :God, sending his own :Son in likeness of flesh of sin and for sin, condemned :sin in the flesh: [4] that the righteous act of the law be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [5] For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, those of the Spirit. [6] For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: [7] because the mind of the flesh is enmity unto :God; for it is not subject to the law of :God, neither indeed can it be: [8] and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that God's Spirit dwelleth in you. But if any hath not the Christ's Spirit he is none of his. [10] And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] But if the Spirit of him that raised :Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised Christ Jesus from the dead shall make alive also your mortal :bodies through his :Spirit that dwelleth in you.
[12] So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: [13] for if ye live after the flesh, ye shall1 die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the doings of the body, ye shall live. [14] For as many as are led by God's Spirit, these are God's sons. [15] For ye received not a spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received a spirit of adoption, whereby2 we cry, Abba, :Father. [16] The Spirit himself beareth witness with our :spirit, that we are children of God: [17] and if children, also heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we be also glorified with him.
[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of the present season are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us-ward. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creation awaiteth the revelation of the sons of :God. [20] For the creation was subjected to :vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in1 hope [21] that the creation itself also shall be freed from the bondage of :corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of :God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together2 until :now. [23] And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we ourselves also groan within ourselves, awaiting our adoption, the redemption of our :body. [24] For in3 hope were we saved: but hope seen is not hope: for who hopeth for what he seeth? [25] But if we hope for what we see not, we await it with patience.4
[26] And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our :infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself intercedeth mightily5 for us with groanings unutterable; [27] and who searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because6 he intercedeth for the saints according to God. [28] And we know that to them that love :God :God worketh all things together7 for good, even to those who are called according to his purpose. [29] For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his :Son, that he be first-born among many brethren: [30] and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
[31] What then shall we say unto these things? If :God is for us, who is against us?
[32] Who indeed spared not his own :Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us :all things?
[33] Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It8 is God that justifieth;
[34] who is he that condemneth? It9 is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at :God's right hand, who also intercedeth for us.
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of the Christ? tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
[36] Even as it is written that,
For thy sake we are killed all the day long;
We were accounted as sheep for slaughter.
[37] Nay, in all these we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,10 shall be able to separate us from the love of :God, which is in Christ Jesus our :Lord.
[1] I say truth in Christ, I lie not, my :conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit, [2] that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my :heart. [3] For I could wish1 that I myself were anathema from the Christ for my :brethren's sake, my :kinsmen according to the flesh: [4] who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; [5] whose are the fathers, and of whom is the Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all God blessed unto the ages. Amen.
[6] But it is not as though the word of :God hath failed. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: [7] neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. [8] That is, the children of the flesh—they are not children of :God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. [9] For the word of promise is this, According to this :season will I come, and :Sarah shall have a son. [10] And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, by our father :Isaac— [11] for the children being not yet born, neither having done aught good or bad, that the purpose of :God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, [12] it was said to her that the elder shall serve the younger. [13] Even as it is written, :Jacob I loved, but :Esau I hated.
[14] What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with :God? Be it not so. [15] For he saith to :Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. [16] So then it is :not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. [17] For the scripture saith to :Pharaoh that, For this very thing did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my :power, and that my :name be published abroad in all the earth. [18] So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth.
[19] Thou wilt say then to me, Why blameth he still? For who withstandeth his :purpose?
[20] Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against :God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why madest thou me thus?
[21] Or hath not the potter authority over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?
[22] What if :God, willing1 to show :wrath, and to make his :power known, bore with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction:
[23] that he might make known the riches of his :glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,
[24] even us, whom he also called, not from Jews only, but also from the nations?
[25] As he saith also in :Hosea,2
I will call the one not my people, my people;
And the one3 not beloved, beloved,
[26]And it shall be, that in the place where it was said to them, Ye are not my people,
There shall they be called sons of the living God.
[27] And Isaiah crieth concerning :Israel, If the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved:
[28] for the Lord will execute4 his word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short.
[29] And, as Isaiah hath said before,
Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed,
We had become as Sodom, and had been made like unto Gomorrah.
[30] What shall we say then? That the nations, who followed not after righteousness, apprehended righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith:
[31] but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.
[32] Wherefore? Because5 they sought it not by6 faith, but as it were by2 works. They stumbled at the stone of :stumbling;
[33] even as it is written,
Lo, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence:
And who believeth on him7 shall not be put to shame.
[1] Brethren, my :heart's desire1 and :supplication unto :God is for them, that they be saved.2 [2] For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For being ignorant of :God's :righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to the righteousness of :God. [4] For Christ is the end of law unto righteousness to every one that believeth. [5] For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of law shall live thereby. [6] But the righteousness which is from faith saith thus, Say not in thy :heart, Who shall ascend into the heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down:) [7] or, Who shall descend into the abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.) [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy :mouth, and in thy :heart: that is, the word of :faith, which we preach: [9] because3 if thou shalt confess the word with thy :mouth that Jesus is Lord, and shalt believe in thy :heart that :God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: [10] for with the heart one believeth4 unto righteousness; and with the mouth one confesseth5 unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. [12] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for he is the same Lord of all, rich unto all that call upon him: [13] for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [14] How then shall they call on him in6 whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful the feet of them that bring a gospel of good things!
[16] But they did not all hearken to the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our :report? [17] So the faith cometh of hearing, and :hearing by the word of Christ.
[18] But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily,
Their :sound went out into all the earth,
And their :words unto the ends of the inhabited earth.
[19] But I say, Did Israel not know? First Moses saith,
I will provoke you to jealousy with what is no nation,
With a nation void of understanding will I enrage you.
[20] And Isaiah is very bold, and saith,
I was found of them that sought me not;
I became manifest to them that asked not of me.
[21] But as to :Israel he saith, All the day long did I spread out my :hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
[1] I say then, Did :God cast off his :people? Be it not so. For I also am an Israelite, of Abraham's seed of Benjamin's tribe.
[2] :God did not cast off his :people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith in Elijah? how he pleadeth1 with :God against :Israel:
[3] Lord, they have killed thy :prophets, they have digged down thine :altars; and I2 am left alone, and they seek my :life.
[4] But what saith the answer of God to him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to :Baal.
[5] Even so then at the present season also there is a remnant according to election of grace.
[6] But if by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise :grace is no more grace.
[7] What then? What Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
[8] according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very :day.
[9] And David saith,
Let their :table become a snare, and a trap,
And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:
[10]Let their :eyes be darkened, that they see not,
And bow thou down their :back always.
[11] I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? Be it not so: but by their :trespass is :salvation to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.
[12] Now if their :trespass is riches of a world, and their :loss riches of nations, how much more their :fulness?
[13] But I speak to you, the nations. Inasmuch then as I2 am apostle of nations, I glorify my :ministry; [14] if by any means I may provoke to jealousy them that are my :flesh, and may save some of them. [15] For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of a world, what shall their receiving be, but life from the dead? [16] And if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are also.
[17] But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; [18] glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, not thou bearest the root, but the root thee. [19] Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I1 be grafted in. [20] Well; by their unbelief were they broken off, and thou standest by thy :faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: [21] for if :God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. [22] Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in :goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. [23] And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for :God is able to graft them in again. [24] For if thou wast cut out of what is by nature a wild olive :tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
[25] For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this :mystery, lest ye be wise in your own2 conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen :Israel, until the fulness of the nations be come in;
[26] and so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written,
The Deliverer shall come out of Zion;
He shall turn away ungodlinesses from Jacob:
[27]And this is the covenant unto them from me,
When I shall take away their :sins.
[28] As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. [29] For the gifts and the calling of :God are not repented of. [30] For as ye in the past were disobedient to :God, but now have obtained mercy by the disobedience of these, [31] even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy. [32] For :God hath shut up :all unto disobedience, that he might have mercy upon :all.
[33] O the depth of riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable his :judgments, and his :ways past tracing out! [34] For who hath known the Lord's mind? or who hath been his counsellor? [35] or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed him again? [36] For of him and through him, and unto him, are :all things. To him the glory unto the ages. Amen.
[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of :God, to present your :bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well-pleasing to God, your spiritual1 service.2 [2] And be not fashioned according to this :age: but be transformed by the renewing of your :mind, that ye may prove what is the3 good and well-pleasing and perfect will of :God.
[3] For I say through the grace :given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as :God hath dealt to each one a measure of faith. [4] For even as we have many members in one body, but all the members have not the same office: [5] so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. [6] And having gifts differing according to the grace :given us, whether prophecy, prophesy according to the proportion of :faith; [7] or ministry, attend to the ministry; or he that teacheth, to the teaching; [8] or he that exhorteth, to the exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality;4 he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
[9] Let :love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cleave to what is good. [10] In brotherly :love be tenderly affectioned one to another; in :honor preferring one another; [11] in :diligence not slothful; fervent in the spirit; serving5 the Lord; [12] rejoicing in :hope; patient in :tribulation; continuing stedfastly in :prayer; [13] communicating to the needs of the saints; pursuing :hospitality. [14] Bless the persecutors; bless, and curse not. [15] Rejoice with the rejoicing; weep with the weeping. [16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on :high things, but condescend6 to the lowly. Become not wise in your own conceits. [17] Render to none evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in sight of all men. [18] If possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. [19] Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I7 will recompense, saith the Lord. [20] But if thine :enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his :head. [21] Be not thou overcome of :evil, but overcome :evil with :good.
[1] Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and those that be are ordained of God. [2] Therefore who resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of :God: and who withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. [3] For :rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou not fear the power? do the good, and thou shalt have praise therefrom: [4] for he1 is a minister of God to thee for :good. But if thou do :evil, be afraid; for he1 beareth not the sword in vain: for he1 is minister of God, avenger for wrath to him that doeth :evil. [5] Wherefore ye must needs submit, not only because of the wrath, but also for :conscience' sake. [6] For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing. [7] Render to all their dues: :tribute to whom :tribute is due; :custom to whom :custom; :fear to whom :fear; :honor to whom :honor.
[8] Owe no one anything, save to love one another: for who loveth his2 neighbor hath fulfilled law. [9] For this, :Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet,3 and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this :word, in the Thou shalt love thy :neighbor as thyself. [10] :Love worketh no ill to the neighbor: :love therefore is fulfilment of law.
[11] And this, knowing the season, that already it is the hour for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation4 nearer to us than when we believed. [12] The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of :darkness, and let us put on the armor of :light. [13] Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chamberings and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. [14] But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision unto the lusts of the flesh.
[1] But him that is weak in :faith receive ye, yet not for1 decision of scruples.
[2] One hath faith to eat all things: but the weak eateth herbs.
[3] Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for :God hath received him.
[4] Who art thou that judgest another's servant?2 to his :own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand.
[5] One esteemeth3 one day above another:4 another esteemeth3 every day alike. Let each one be fully assured in his :own mind.
[6] Who regardeth the day, regardeth to the Lord: and who eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth :God thanks; and who eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth :God thanks.
[7] For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself.
[8] For whether we live, we live to the Lord; or whether we die, we die to the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
[9] For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both dead and living.
[10] But thou, why dost thou judge thy :brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy :brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of :God.
[11] For it is written,
I5 live, saith the Lord, that to me every knee shall bow,
And every tongue shall confess6 to :God.
[12] So then each one of us shall give account of himself to :God.
[13] Let us therefore judge one another no more: but judge ye this rather, that no stumblingblock be put in the brother's way, or an occasion of falling. [14] I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. [15] For if because of meat thy :brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy :meat him for whom Christ died. [16] Let not then your :good be evil spoken of: [17] for the kingdom of :God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. [18] For he who herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to :God, and approved of :men. [19] So then let us follow after things of :peace, and the things whereby we may build up one another. [20] Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of :God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for the man who eateth with offence. [21] It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy :brother stumbleth. [22] The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before :God. Blessed he that judgeth not himself in what he approveth.7 [23] But who doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
[1] Now we the strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let each of us please his :neighbor for what is good, unto building up. [3] For the Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of those reproaching thee fell upon me. [4] For whatsoever things were written afore were all written for our :learning, that through :patience1 and through :comfort of the scriptures we might have :hope. [5] Now the God of :patience1 and of :comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: [6] that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our :Lord Jesus Christ.
[7] Wherefore receive one another, even as the Christ also received us, to the glory of :God.
[8] For I say that Christ hath been made minister of circumcision for God's truth, that he confirm the promises given to the fathers,
[9] and that the nations might glorify :God for his mercy; as it is written,
Therefore will I give praise2 to thee among the nations,
And sing to thy :name.
[10] And again he saith,
Rejoice, ye nations, with his :people.
[11] And again,
Praise the Lord, all the nations;
And let all the peoples praise him the more.
[12] And again, Isaiah saith,
There shall be the root of :Jessai,
And he that ariseth to rule over nations;
On him shall nations hope.
[13] Now the God of :hope fill you with all joy and peace in :believing, that ye may abound in :hope, in power of the Holy Spirit.
[14] And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all :knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
[15] But I write the more boldly to you in a measure, as reminding you again, because of the grace :given me of :God,
[16] that I be minister of Christ Jesus unto the nations, ministering1 the gospel of :God, that the offering up of the nations become acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
[17] I have therefore my :glorying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining unto :God.
[18] For I will not dare to speak of aught2 save those which Christ wrought through me, for obedience of the nations, by word and deed,
[19] in power of signs and wonders, in power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully3 preached the gospel of the Christ;
[20] yea, making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I build not upon another's foundation;
[21] but, as it is written,
They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came,
And they who have not heard shall understand.
[22] Wherefore also I was hindered these many times from coming unto you: [23] but now, having no more place in these :regions, and having these many years a longing to come unto you, [24] whensoever I go to :Spain (for I hope to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thither by you, if first in a measure I be satisfied with your company)— [25] but now, I say, I go to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints. [26] For Macedonia and Achaia were well-pleased to make a certain contribution4 for the poor among the saints :at Jerusalem. [27] Yea, they were well pleased; and their debtors they are. For if the nations have been made partakers of their :spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in carnal things. [28] When therefore I have accomplished this, and sealed to them this :fruit, I will go on by you to Spain. [29] And I know that, when I come unto you, I shall come in fulness of Christ's blessing.
[30] Now I beseech you, brethren, by our :Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in :prayers to :God for me; [31] that I be delivered from the disobedient in :Judæa, and that my :ministration :for Jerusalem become acceptable to the saints; [32] that I come unto you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest. [33] Now the God of :peace be with you all. Amen.
[1] I commend to you Phœbē our :sister, who is also servant1 of the church :at Cenchreæ: [2] that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and assist her in whatsoever matter she have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self.
[3] Salute Prisca and Aquila my :fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, [4] who for my :soul2 laid down their own :necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the nations: [5] and salute the church :in their :house. Salute Epænetus my :beloved, who is the firstfruits of :Asia unto Christ. [6] Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you. [7] Salute Andronicus and Junias, my :kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are noted among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me. [8] Salute Ampliatus my :beloved in the Lord. [9] Salute Urbanus our :fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my :beloved. [10] Salute Apellēs the approved in Christ. Salute those of the household of Aristobulus. [11] Salute Hērōdiōn my :kinsman. Salute them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord. [12] Salute Tryphæna and Tryphōsa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. [13] Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his :mother and mine. [14] Salute Asyncritus, Phlegōn, Hermēs, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren :with them. [15] Salute Philologus and Julia, Nēreus and his :sister, and Olympas, and all the saints :with them. [16] Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of the Christ salute you.
[17] Now I beseech you, brethren, mark those causing the divisions and the stumblings, contrary to the teaching which ye learned: and turn away from them.
[18] For :such are not bondmen of our :Lord Christ, but of their own :belly; and by their smooth and fair speech3 they beguile the hearts of the innocent.
[19] For your :obedience is come abroad unto all. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto what is good, and simple unto what is evil.
[20] And the God of :peace shall bruise :Satan under your :feet shortly.
The grace of our :Lord Jesus be with you.
[21] Timothy my :fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason and Sōsipater, my :kinsmen. [22] I Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord. [23] Gaius my :host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you, and Quartus the brother. [24] -- Unused --.
[25] Now to him that is able to establish you according to my :gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to revelation of the mystery kept in silence through times eternal, [26] but now is manifested, and through the prophetic scriptures, according to commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: [27] to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom the glory unto the ages. Amen.