로마서로 영어 정복-영문 로마서 읽기 1- 로마서 개요. 1장 단어. 3가지 영어 버전 1-16장 전체

[다윗]

샬롬!! 온 세상에서 로마서를 배우고 영어를 배우고 그리고 진리에 목이 말라서 사랑에 목이 말라서 그리고 정에 목이 말라서 오신 모든 분을 환영하고 기뻐합니다. 저는 로마서를 영어로 정복하기를 시작하는 Davkid(한국명 김정관) 목사입니다. 제 오천만의 다음 카페와 네이브 블로그에 약 90개국 30만 명이 오셨습니다. 많은 분들이 방문하셔서 약 4년이 넘게 이곳에 글을 올리는 것이 너무나 즐거웠습니다. 대부분 교회에 다니시고 예수님을 믿으시는 분이 어떤 성경의 내용이 궁금할 때 검색을 해서 오십니다. 비록 복사나 글을 이동할 수가 없게 되어 있어 바로 자료를 가져갈 수는 없지만 글을 읽음을 통해서 나름대로 원하는 정보를 알게 되었으라 믿습니다. 글이 맞춤법이나 그림 등이 온전치 못한 부분이 있어 그대로 온 세상에 돌아다는 것이 싫어서 그렇게 한 것이지 다른 이유는 없습니다.

온 세상은 지식이 늘고 왕래가 빨라졌습니다. 이렇게 세상이 될 것이라고 우리가 이제 한국에서도 너무나 많이 보고 듣는 다니엘이란 예언자가 성경 다니엘서에서 약 2600년 전에 예언을 했습니다. 그러다 보니 자신이 사는 곳의 사람이 아닌 외국 분들과도 자주 만나게 되고 그리고 다양한 매체가 영어로 온 세상에 있으니 영어를 잘 배우고 익히고 사용하는 것이 너무나 중요한 일이 되었습니다. k 팝 가수가 노래를 하면 유튜브를 통해서 온 세상이 바로 볼 수가 있는데 어떤 평범한 사람도 순식간에 세계적으로 알려질 수가 있는 시대에 온 세상의 사람과 소통을 하는데 가장 널리 사용되는 언어가 영어이다 보니 우리 모두는 나이가 많으나 젊으나 모두가 영어를 배우려고 많은 노력을 하고 있습니다. 토익 자료도 인터넷에 너무나 많고 영어를 배우는 다양한 자료들이 수를 헤아릴 수도 없이 많이 유통이 되고 있어 핸드폰만 있으면 누구나 자신에게 유익하고 필요한 정보를 어디서나 언제나 볼 수가 있게 되었습니다.

저는 목사로서 온 세상에 예수님을 전하는 사명을 가진 사람으로 성경을 읽고 배우고 정리하면서 세상에서 다른 모든 분과 함께 일을 하면서 살고 있는데 카투사로 근무했고 그리고 대학 대학원에서 행정고시를 하면서 영어를 배웠고 그리고 미군부대에 약 7년 전부터 근무하면서 쉬지 않고 조금씩 영어를 접하고 있고 그리고 이렇게 성경을 더 잘 이해하고자 영어로 된 성경을 배우고 있는데 이런 과정에서 로마서를 모든 분과 함께 배우면서 영어도 배우고 그리고 성경을 통한 우리가 꼭 배우고 믿어야 하는 진리를 배우기를 소망합니다.

제가 아시는 바와 같이 영문학자도 아니고 영어 전공자도 아니고 그렇다고 머리가 핑핑 도는 젊은이도 아니고 환갑이 지난 한국 어디서나 볼 수가 있는 아버지 세대의 사람으로 이렇게 온 세상에 함께 로마서로 영어를 배우자고 하는 것은 어떤 사람에게는 만용이라고 볼 수도 있겠지만 조금도 두려움 없이 온 세상에 영어를 같이 배우고자 권하는 것은 제가 혼자가 아니라 제 글을 읽는 분들이 많이 계시고 또 앞으로도 100만 1000만 그리고 일억이 넘을 것이라는 확실한 믿음이 있고 무엇보다도 온 세상을 창조하시고 전능하시며 우리 모든 인간을 사랑하시는 하나님께서 이 일을 지지하시고 도우실 것을 분명하게 알기 때문입니다.

많은 분들의 기도와 격려를 부탁을 드립니다. 오늘은 첫 시간으로 로마서에 대해서 아무것도 모르시는 분도 아실 수가 있게 쉽게 설명을 드리고 그리고 로마서 영문 버전을 3가지로 보여드립니다. 이렇게 한 내용을 3가지 버전으로 보면 같은 내용을 보는 관점에 따라서 조금 다르게 번역을 했기에 세 버전을 읽으므로 첫 버전에서 영어로 이해가 되지 않던 부분이나 단어가 다른 버전에서 쉬운 단어나 혹은 내가 아는 단어로 번역이 되어 있으면 그 내용의 이해가 저절로 늘게 되어 있는데 영어도 이렇게 이해를 늘리를 방법이 있는데 제가 올리는 세 가지 버전을 그냥 눈으로 한 번만 읽어 보셔서 새로운 영어에 대한 이해가 있으니라 믿습니다. 저는 벌써 그렇게 여러 번 했고 또 오늘 다번역 성경 찬송 사이트로 이동해서 직접 미국인의 음성으로 들어 보았습니다. 제가 목사고 이렇게 오천만의 로마서를 온 세상에 알리고 있으니 그 내용을 수도 없이 보고 이해하고자 했으니 비록 영어가 약해도 한글로 그 내용을 알고 있으니 또 영문의 이해가 쉽게 됩니다. 우리가 아는 내용을 한글로 혹은 소식으로 아는 내용을 누가 영어로 이야기하면 이해가 모르는 내용을 이야기하는 것보다 쉽게 이해가 되는데 Graded readers란 동영상을 보시면 소설 등이 레벨 1-10까지 다양하게 너무나 잘 소개가 되어 있으며 너무나 정말로 재미가 있어 시간 가는 줄도 모르게 들을 수가 있으니 이런 소설 등을 통해서 영어의 배경이 되는 내용들을 시간이 되는 데로 많이 입력을 하면 우리의 영어는 속히 늘 줄로 믿는데 누가 소개를 해서 저도 약 50편 정도 보았는데 2시간짜리를 울면서 듣기도 하는데 이 자료만 약 1000편을 읽는다면 너무나 큰 영어의 향상이 오리라 믿습니다. 저는 이미 5% 진도가 나갔습니다. 그리고 또 한글로 로마서를 5가지 버전으로 이미 번역을 잘 해 놓았으니 이도 참고하시면 바로 이해가 될 것입니다.

로마서는 로마와 관련이 있는 글입니다. 로마가 붙어 있으니 로마에 대한 글이 틀림이 없지 않겠습니까? 그리고 로마서는 온 세상에서 가장 많은 사람이 사고 읽는 책 속에 있습니다. 역사상 가장 많은 사람이 읽었고 지금 시대에도 읽고 있고 그리고 서구의 문명을 이해하고 우리가 사는 세상과 인간에 대해서 가장 잘 정확하게 설명하는 책이 바로 이 책이며 이렇게 온 세상이 하나로 되고 서로 소통할 때 가장 나에게 도움이 될 수가 있는 책이 바로 이 책인데 성경책입니다. 우리가 어떤 영역의 고전이다 바이블이다 할 때 바로 그 바이블(Bible)이 바로 성경이며 로마서는 이 성경속에 들어있는 편지글입니다. 성경책은 보지 않는 분은 이 세상에 거의 없을 것인데 대부분 까만 가죽 표지로 되어 있고 우리 주변에 교회에 주일날 가시는 분들이 손에 들고 팔에 끼도 다니기에 아직도 성경책이 어떻게 생겼고 보지를 못한 분이 별로 없을 줄로 믿습니다. 성경책 속에 우리가 배울 로마서가 있고 영문으로 수백 버전이 있으나 우리는 가장 유명한 버전인 NIV, KJV 그리고 NASB로 교재를 삼고 공부를 할 것입니다. 제가 글을 올리지만 제가 영어 전문이 아니니 전능하신 하나님께 기도하고 하나님의 도우심으로 여러분의 격려로 함께 배우게 될 것입니다. 저도 여러분들과 똑같이 직장에 가야 하고 또 가장이고 아버지며 남편이기에 할 일이 있고 그리고 하남과 당진에 약 각각 600평의 논농사와 밭농사를 짓기에 이 일도 하면서 이렇게 같이 공부도 해야 하니 시간이 될 때마다 부지런히 글을 올릴 것입니다. 그래서 규칙적인 약속은 드리기가 어렵습니다. 이미 많은 로마서에 대한 글이 준비가 되어서 이 블로그와 다음 카페 오천만의 로마서에 있으니 로마서를 더 깊이 알고자 하는 분은 참고를 하시면 많은 도움이 될 줄로 믿습니다.

모집합니다.

함께 로마서를 유튜브로 강의를 할 분을 구합니다.

원어민으로 영어, 중국어, 일본어로 로마서 같이 배우고 전할 수 있는 분

동영상 제작함께 하실 분

제 자료를 책으로 엮을 것인데 이 분야의 전문가

한국분으로 영어구문 문법 전문가

성경 정리 지도자

텃밭 성경연구회 운영자 등

로마서가 성경 속에 있는데 로마에 대한 글이며 편지라고 말씀을 드렸는데 누가 이 편지를 누구에게 썼는지는 제가 소개하는 본문을 보시면 바로 이해가 될 것이지만 조금 소개를 드리면 지금으로부터 약 2천 년 전에 PAUL이라는 사람이 로마에 있는 분들에게 보낸 편지입니다. 그래서 제목이 로마서로 되어 있는 것입니다. 한글로 바울이라고 번역이 되어 있는데 폴이라고 합니다. 온 세상에 있는 폴과 바울은 이 성경의 바울의 이름을 따서 만든 것입니다. 러시아가 정교회의 국가로서 이 로마서를 자신의 다른 모든 성경과 함께 러시아어로 약 1000년 전에 번역을 해서 정교회의 성경으로 사용하고 있는데 러시아권에도 바울, 폴이라는 이름을 가진 사람이 너무나 많고 이제 한국에서도 바울이가 여기저기 많이 생기고 있는 실정입니다. 내가 아는 외국인 친구가 바울이면 이 사람은 기독교 국가에서 태어났고 예수님을 알고 있을 가능성이 아주 높다고 할 수가 있는 것입니다. 자세한 내용은 조금씩 차차 말씀을 드리고 오늘은 그 영문 번역 세 가지를 올려 드리니 읽어 보시기 바라며 또 다번역 성경 찬송 앱을 핸드폰에 설치하시면 어디서나 이 내용을 직접 미국인의 음성으로 들을 수가 있고 그리고 컴퓨터로 이 사이트에 들어가셔서 보시면 내용을 영어로 보시고 들을 수가 있는데 이렇게 제게 핸드폰으로 다양한 버전으로 성경을 볼 수가 있는 앱을 소개하신 분을 제가 삼성 GFC로 교육을 받고 있을 때 만났는데 그분과의 만남이 이런 성경의 이해와 온 세상에 전하게 된 결실이 깊은 관계가 있는데 늘 그분께 감사드리고 위해서 기도합니다. 저와의 이런 만남이 영혼의 떨림이 있고 나의 운명을 완전하게 바꾸는 귀한 만남이 되길 축원 드립니다.

오늘은 세 가지 영어 버전을 그대로 올리니 이 버전을 읽고 또 여유가 되시는 분은 직접 본토 발음으로 들어 보시기 바랍니다. 제가 1장을 읽은 내용도 올리는데 아주 여러 가지로 부족한 부분이 있는데 모든 분이 다 저보다 발음도 좋고 내용도 더 잘 이해할 수가 있습니다. 제가 읽는 영어를 들으시고 용기를 내시기 바랍니다. 그리고 1장 내용만 읽어 드리는데 본토 발음으로 다번역 성경 찬송 앱에 있으니 시원시원한 성우의 음성으로도 들어 보시기 바랍니다. 그리고 제가 읽어 드린 로마서 1장 NIV 버전을 조금 쉽게 이해하도록 단어 몇 개를 설명을 드립니다. 바울은 폴로 이 편지를 쓰신 분으로 그분의 신분은 예수님의 종이라고 합니다. 영어로 servant로 되어 있습니다. apostle는 예수님의 제자를 의미합니다. 2000년 전에 오신 예수님을 우리는 성탄절로 기념을 하는데 이 내용은 전 세계 모든 분이 다 아는 상식입니다. 유대 땅 베들레헴에 마구간에서 나신 분 동정녀를 통해서 이 땅에 오신 분 인류의 죄를 위해서 나의 죄를 위해서 십자가를 지신 분이라고 모든 분이 아는 그 Christ Jesusd의 종 노예라고 합니다. 주인이 예수님이시고 종이 이 편지를 쓰신 바울인데 예수님의 제자라 자신을 소개합니다. 당시에 2000년 전에 로마시대에 우리가 잘 아는 아우구스티누스 시대에 즉 로마서 지중해의 패권을 잡아가면서 세계 최고 초대의 제국이 될 때 예수님께서 유대 즉 이스라엘 땅에 오신 것입니다. 로마의 속국이며 작은 나라에 온 인류를 구원하실 구세주께서 오셨는데 이후에 예수님을 믿는 사람들에 의해서 다스려지는 나라가 로마가 되었고 이 로마로부터 지금의 유럽이 생겨났고 그리고 미국 그리고 한국 중국에 이미 일억이나 예수님을 믿는 사람들이 있고 지구상에 약 20억이 믿는 사람들이 현재 존재하고 있는데 이렇게 기독교가 온 세상에 퍼지게 결정적으로 역할을 한 사람이 바로 우리가 배우는 로마서를 쓴 바울입니다.

gospel은 우리가 가스펠 송 등으로 아는 단어인데 복된 소식이라는 말로 good news 혹은 good spell로 이 세상에서 우주 전체에서 모든 죽을 운명에 있는즉 죽은 운명에 처한 모든 인류 즉 저와 여러분을 이 운명에서 건져서 영원토록 죽지 않게 살게 하실 구세주에 대한 소식이라는 말입니다. 즉 예수님에 대한 소식 예수님께서 우리를 죽음에서 건져서 영원토록 살게 하시는 구원에 대한 소식이 가스펠입니다. God는 하나님 신이라는 말인데 여기에서는 예수님을 이 땅에 보내신 하나님을 말씀하시는데 예수님도 하나님이시고 하늘에 계신 우리 아버지도 하나님이시고 the Spirit of holiness 도 역시 하나님이시니 성부와 성자와 성령의 하나님이 하나로 되어 있다 해서 삼위일체 하나님으로 성경은 설명합니다.

David는 다윗, 데이비드란 이름인데 다윗 왕입니다. 지금도 너무나 많은 사람이 이 이름을 따서 부르고 있는데 저도 jkdavid로 이름이 있고 온 세상에서 가장 흔한 이름인데 그 출처가 바로 성경에 있는데 성경을 구약과 신약으로 나누어서 편집을 했는데 구약은 이스라엘의 역사와 법 그리고 노래와 예언으로 구성이 되어 있는데 다윗 왕은 하나님을 온 이스라엘 역사에서 가장 잘 섬긴 왕으로 기록이 되어 있습니다. 온 인류의 역사를 통해서 우리가 잘 알기만 하면 가장 위대한 왕입니다. 이 왕과 참으로 비슷한 삶을 사신 분이 저는 한국의 대통령으로 한 분이 계시는데 김대중 대통령이라 생각을 합니다. 다윗 왕은 기원전 1000년 경의 인물로 왕이 되기 전에 당시의 이스라엘 왕이었던 서울 왕에게 시기를 받아서 늘 쫓기면서 살았는데 사울을 죽일 기회가 두 번이나 있었지만 하나님께서 세우신 분으로 존경하고 살려 주었고 그리고 왕이 되어 당시 세계 최강의 군대와 경제력이 있었지만 이런 국력을 가지고 온 세상의 정복자가 자신의 주변의 작고 힘이 없는 나라를 약탈하고 점령한 것과 달리 오직 하나님의 명령대로 작은 이스라엘 땅에서 인간 역사상 가장 비싸고 멋있는 하나님의 전을 짓는 준비를 하고 그리고 그 나라를 자신의 권력으로 독재를 하지 않고 오직 하나님의 말씀대로 하나님의 뜻대로 다스렸습니다. 모든 인간의 역사를 통해서 가장 위대한 왕이 바로 다윗이며 이 왕이 천지를 만드신 하나님의 마음에 들어서 이 왕이 죽고 난 후에도 이 왕을 생각하며 이스라엘을 죄를 지어도 하나님께서 늘 붙잡아 주셨습니다. 그리고 시편에 많은 하나님을 찬양하는 시를 썼습니다. 그 대를 이어서 자손이 계속 계속 천년이 넘게 이어졌고 예수님께서는 육체적으로 이 다윗 왕의 후손으로 오셨다는 말입니다.

그런데 우리가 예수님께서 십자가에 달려서 죽으신 것은 다 아는데 하나님께서 다시 살리신 내용은 또 잘 믿지 않는데 이렇게 하나님께서 다시 살리신 예수님의 종이 바로 바울이라는 것입니다. 영어 resurrection은 부활이라는 의미입니다. 이제 바울이 얼마나 예수님의 종이지만 엄청난 사람인지 조금 감이 오십니까? 천지를 만드신 하나님! 죽은 사람을 살리시는 하나님! 그리고 그분의 아들 역시 하나님이신 예수님의 종이며 그리고 성령 하나님의 사랑과 인정을 받는 사람 그분의 종이 바로 바울입니다. 미국의 시민권도 영광이며 미국 대통령의 종으로 대표하는 사람으로 관직에 나가는 것도 큰 영광인데 천지를 만드신 전능하시고 모든 인간과 역사를 주관하시는 하나님의 종이라는 신분으로 자신을 당당하게 소개하는 바울 사도는 당시의 사람들이 모르고 지금도 사람들이 잘 몰라서 그렇게 이렇게 어마어마한 신분을 가지신 분이십니다. 이 분으로 인해서 온 세상의 역사가 또 바뀌게 되니 역사상 가장 위대한 인물이며 그래서 그 위대한 인물의 이름을 온 세상에서 사용하고 있는 것입니다. all the Gentile, Rome, Greeks and non-Greeks는 이방인들 로마 그리고 그리스 혹은 비 그리스로 번역이 되는 단어입니다. 이쯤에서 당시 지도 하나 보고 가겠습니다.

남북 길이는 1800km로 정정함

당시 로마 입장에서 즉 예수님 당시 지금으로부터 약 2000년 전에는 로마 시민이나 국민이 아니면 다 이방인으로 불렀습니다. 그리고 유대인들도 자신과 같은 민족이 아니면 이방인으로 또 불렀고 야만인이라 생각을 했습니다. 알렉산더 대왕의 그리스는 지중해 동쪽과 지금의 서남아시아 쪽을 큰 영토로 다스렸는데 로마가 이탈리에서 급성장하면서 이 그리스의 나라들을 정복하고 지중해를 중심으로 대 제국을 건설했습니다. 바울 사도는 처음에는 예수님을 믿지 않고 도리어 예수를 믿는 사람을 잡아서 옥에 가두고 죽이던 유대인 율법에 목숨을 건 사람이었으나 하나님이신 예수님을 직접 만나고 완전히 다른 사람에 되어 그리스와 아시아에 전도 여행을 하며 교회를 세우고 편지를 보냈는데 로마서도 그가 로마에 있는 성도에게 쓴 편지이나 아직 이 편지를 보낼 당시 즉 기원후 57년 경에는 로마에 아직 가지 못했고 몇 년이 더 있다가 예수를 전한다고 체포가 되어서 로마로 압송이 되면서 로마로 가게 되었습니다. 그리고 당시의 황제는 우리가 잘 아는 네로였습니다. 이렇게 성경은 우리가 진실로 배우고자 열망하는 유럽의 역사 혹은 로마사와 그리고 중동의 역사와 더 나아가서 한국 중국 등 모든 나라의 역사와 깊은 연관이 있고 이들 역사에 대해서 배우고자 해도 기록은 없고 오직 무덤과 돌로 된 기념물과 그리고 유물만 존재하는데 성경은 인류의 기원부터 우주의 생성부터 기록을 하고 있어 기록이 없는 메소포타미아 수메르, 바벨론 앗수르 심지어 우리의 설명이 불가능한 청동기 무덤까지 완벽하게 기록이 있기에 우리가 학교에서 배우는 세계사도 책으로 배울 수가 있게 된 것입니다. 참으로 온 세상을 올바로 알고 내가 세계적인 지식인이 되려고 한다면 이렇게 성경을 기본으로 배우면 너무나 좋은 방법인데 우리는 이렇게 영어를 통해서 로마서를 배우는 기회 속으로 왔는데 끝까지 하나님 함께 그리고 저와 함께 하면서 우리의 영혼의 깊은 갈망을 채워주는 진리 속으로 기쁘고 힘찬 여행을 시작해 보시기 바랍니다. 자주 오셔서 새 글을 확인하시고 읽으시기 바라며 저도 쉬지 않고 모든 분의 형통을 위해서 평안을 위해서 목사로서 기도하고 있으니 저를 위해서 부족한 저를 위해서도 늘 기도해 주시기를 간절히 부탁을 드립니다. 제가 1장을 영어로 읽고 녹음은 했는데 이 자료를 여기에 가져 오는 실력이 부족해서 올리지 못합니다. 카톡까지 보냈는데 여기까지 어떻게 옮기는지 고민하다 시간이 되어 아침을 먹고 당진에 벼 논에 가 보아야 할 것 같습니다. 함께 공부하며 하남에서 고기도 구워 먹고 당진에서 함께 낚시도 하고 지리산에서 산행도 하면서 함께 성경을 즐겁게 배울 날이 속히 오길 기도합니다.

[NIV]

Chapter1

1. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God --

2. the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

3. regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,

4. and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

5. Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

6. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

7. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

8. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

9. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you

10. in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

11. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong --

12. that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

13. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

14. I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

15. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

16. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

17. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

18. The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

19. since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

20. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

21. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

23. and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

24. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

25. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator -- who is forever praised. Amen.

26. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.

27. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

28. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

29. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,

30. slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;

31. they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

32. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

[NIV]

Chapter1

1. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God --

2. the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

3. regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,

4. and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

5. Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

6. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

7. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

8. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

9. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you

10. in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

11. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong --

12. that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

13. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

14. I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

15. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

16. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

17. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

18. The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

19. since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

20. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

21. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

23. and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

24. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

25. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator -- who is forever praised. Amen.

26. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.

27. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

28. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

29. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,

30. slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;

31. they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

32. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

[KJV]

Chapter1

1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

2. (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

3. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

4. And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

5. By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

6. Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

7. To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

9. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

10. Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

11. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

12. That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

13. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

14. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31. Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

[NASB]

Chapter1

1. Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called [as] an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

2. which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures,

3. concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,

4. who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,

5. through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about [ the] obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name's sake,

6. among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7. to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called [as] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.

9. For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the [preaching of the] gospel of His Son, is my witness [as to] how unceasingly I make mention of you,

10. always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.

11. For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;

12. that is, that I may be encouraged together with you [while] among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.

13. And I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented thus far) in order that I might obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

14. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

15. Thus, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

17. For in it [the] righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS [man] SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

19. because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

20. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

21. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22. Professing to be wise, they became fools,

23. and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

24. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them.

25. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,

27. and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

28. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,

29. being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; [they are] gossips,

30. slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,

31. without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;

32. and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

[NIV]

Chapter2

1. You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

2. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

3. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?

4. Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

5. But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

6. God "will give to each person according to what he has done."

7. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

8. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

9. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;

10. but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

11. For God does not show favoritism.

12. All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.

13. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

14. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,

15. since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)

16. This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

17. Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God;

18. if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;

19. if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,

20. an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth --

21. you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?

22. You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

23. You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

24. As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

25. Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.

26. If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?

27. The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

28. A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.

29. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

[KJV]

Chapter2

1. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

2. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

3. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, 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 unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

7. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

8. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

9. Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

10. But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

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 in the law shall be judged by the law;

13. (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

17. Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

18. And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

19. And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

20. An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

21. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

22. Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

23. Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

24. For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

25. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

26. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

27. And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

28. For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

29. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

[NASB]

Chapter2

1. Therefore you are without excuse, every man [of you] who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

2. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.

3. And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same [yourself,] that you will escape the judgment of God?

4. Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

5. But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

6. who WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:

7. to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;

8. but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.

9. [There will be] tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,

10. but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

11. For there is no partiality with God.

12. For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law; and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law;

13. for not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.

14. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,

15. in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,

16. on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

17. But if you bear the name "Jew," and rely upon the Law, and boast in God,

18. and know [His] will, and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,

19. and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,

20. a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,

21. you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal?

22. You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

23. You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?

24. For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written.

25. For indeed circumcision is of value, if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

26. If therefore the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?

27. And will not he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter [of the Law] and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?

28. For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.

29. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

[NIV]

Chapter3

1. What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?

2. Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

3. What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?

4. Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."

5. But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)

6. Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?

7. Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?"

8. Why not say -- as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say -- "Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.

9. What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

10. As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;

11. there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.

12. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

13. "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips."

14. "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."

15. "Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16. ruin and misery mark their ways,

17. and the way of peace they do not know."

18. "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

19. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

20. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

21. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

22. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,

23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24. and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

25. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished --

26. he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

27. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.

28. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

29. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,

30. since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

31. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

[KJV]

Chapter3

1. What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

2. Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

3. For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

4. God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

5. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

6. God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

7. For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

8. And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

9. What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

12. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

13. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

15. Their feet are swift to shed blood:

16. Destruction and misery are in their ways:

17. And the way of peace have they not known:

18. There is no fear of God before their eyes.

19. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22. Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

27. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

28. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

30. Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

[NASB]

Chapter3

1. Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

2. Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

3. What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?

4. May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man [be found] a liar, as it is written, "THAT THOU MIGHTEST BE JUSTIFIED IN THY WORDS, AND MIGHTEST PREVAIL WHEN THOU ART JUDGED."

5. But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.)

6. May it never be! For otherwise how will God judge the world?

7. But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?

8. And why not [say] (as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come"? Their condemnation is just.

9. What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;

10. as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;

11. THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;

12. ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE. "

13. "THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING," "THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS";

14. "WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS";

15. "THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,

16. DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,

17. AND THE PATH OF PEACE HAVE THEY NOT KNOWN. "

18. "THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES."

19. Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God;

20. because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law [comes] the knowledge of sin.

21. But now apart from the Law [the] righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

22. even [the] righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24. being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

25. whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. [This was] to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

26. for the demonstration, [I say,] of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

27. Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

28. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

29. Or is God [the God] of Jews only? Is He not [the God] of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,

30. since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.

31. Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish

[NIV]

Chapter4

1. What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter?

2. If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about -- but not before God.

3. What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

4. Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.

5. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

6. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7. "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

8. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

9. Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness.

10. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!

11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

12. And he 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.

13. It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

14. For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless,

15. because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

16. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring -- not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

17. As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed -- the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

18. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

19. Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead -- since he was about a hundred years old -- and that Sarah's womb was also dead.

20. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

21. being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

22. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."

23. The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone,

24. but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness -- for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

25. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

[KJV]

Chapter4

1. What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7. Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

12. And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

13. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15. Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

16. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

17. (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

18. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:

20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21. And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

23. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

24. But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

[NASB]

Chapter4

1. What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?

2. For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.

3. For what does the Scripture say? "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

4. Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due.

5. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,

6. just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works:

7. "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.

8. "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT."

9. Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS RECKONED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

10. How then was it reckoned? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;

11. and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be reckoned to them,

12. and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

13. For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;

15. for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

16. For this reason [it is] by faith, that [it might be] in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,

17. (as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU") in the sight of Him whom he believed, [even] God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

18. In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE."

19. And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb;

20. yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,

21. and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.

22. Therefore also IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

23. Now not for his sake only was it written, that it was reckoned to him,

24. but for our sake also, to whom it will be reckoned, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

[NIV]

Chapter5

1. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2. through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

3. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

4. perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

6. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

7. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.

8. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

10. For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

11. Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

12. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned --

13. for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.

14. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.

15. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

16. Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

17. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.

19. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

21. so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[KJV]

Chapter5

1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4. And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

6. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

13. (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

15. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

16. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

17. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

18. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

[NASB]

Chapter5

1. Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2. through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

3. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

4. and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

5. and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

7. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.

8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath [of God] through Him.

10. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

12. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--

13. for until the Law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

15. But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

16. And the gift is not like [that which came] through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment [arose] from one [transgression] resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift [arose] from many transgressions resulting in justification.

17. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

18. So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

19. For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

20. And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

21. that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[NIV]

Chapter6

1. What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?

2. By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

3. Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

4. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

6. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin --

7. because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

8. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

9. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.

10. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

11. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

12. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

13. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

14. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

15. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

16. Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey -- whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

17. But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.

18. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

19. I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

20. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.

21. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!

22. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[KJV]

Chapter6

1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2. God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

16. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17. But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

19. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

20. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[NASB]

Chapter6

1. What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?

2. May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

3. Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?

4. Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

5. For if we have become united with [Him] in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also [in the likeness] of His resurrection,

6. knowing this, that our old self was crucified with [Him,] that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin;

7. for he who has died is freed from sin.

8. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

9. knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.

10. For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

11. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

12. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts,

13. and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin [as] instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness to God.

14. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.

15. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!

16. Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone [as] slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?

17. But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,

18. and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

19. I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members [as] slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in [further] lawlessness, so now present your members [as] slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

20. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

21. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.

22. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

23. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[NIV]

Chapter7

1. Do you not know, brothers -- for I am speaking to men who know the law -- that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?

2. For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.

3. So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man.

4. So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.

5. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.

6. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

7. What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet."

8. But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead.

9. Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.

10. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

11. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.

12. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

13. Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

14. We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.

15. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

16. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

17. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.

18. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

19. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do -- this I keep on doing.

20. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

22. For in my inner being I delight in God's law;

23. but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.

24. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

25. Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

[KJV]

Chapter7

1. Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

2. For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

3. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

4. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

5. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

6. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

8. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

9. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

10. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

11. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

12. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

13. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

14. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

[NASB]

Chapter7

1. Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?

2. For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.

3. So then if, while her husband is living, she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, though she is joined to another man.

4. Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God.

5. For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were [aroused] by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

6. But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

7. What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET."

8. But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin [is] dead.

9. And I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive, and I died;

10. and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;

11. for sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.

12. So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

13. Therefore did that which is good become [a cause of] death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

14. For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.

15. For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I [would] like to [do,] but I am doing the very thing I hate.

16. But if I do the very thing I do not wish [to do], I agree with the Law, [confessing] that it is good.

17. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells me.

18. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good [is] not.

19. For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish.

20. But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

21. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good.

22. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,

23. but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

24. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

25. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

[NIV]

Chapter8

1. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

2. because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

3. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,

4. in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

5. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

6. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;

7. the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

8. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

9. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

10. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.

11. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

12. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation -- but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.

13. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

14. because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

15. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

16. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

17. Now if we are children, then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

18. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

19. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

20. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope

21. that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

23. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

24. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?

25. But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

27. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

28. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

29. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

33. Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

34. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that, who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

36. As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

37. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

39. neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[KJV]

Chapter8

1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8. So then 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 the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36. As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[NASB]

Chapter8

1. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

3. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God [did:] sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and [as an offering] for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

4. in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

5. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

6. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

7. because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able [to do so];

8. and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

10. And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

11. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.

12. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--

13. for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

14. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

15. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

16. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

17. and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him] in order that we may also be glorified with [Him.]

18. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

19. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

20. For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope

21. that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

22. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

23. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for [our] adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

24. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees?

25. But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

26. And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for [ us] with groanings too deep for words;

27. and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to [the will of] God.

28. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose.

29. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to become] conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;

30. and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

31. What then shall we say to these things? If God [is] for us, who [ is] against us?

32. He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

33. Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;

34. who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36. Just as it is written, "FOR THY SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."

37. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

38. For I am convinced 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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[NIV]

Chapter9

1. I speak the truth in Christ -- I am not lying, my conscience confirm‎s it in the Holy Spirit --

2. I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

3. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race,

4. the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

5. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

6. It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

7. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."

8. In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.

9. For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."

10. Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac.

11. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad -- in order that God's purpose in election might stand:

12. not by works but by him who calls -- she was told, "The older will serve the younger."

13. Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

14. What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!

15. For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

16. It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

17. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

18. Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

19. One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?"

20. But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?'"

21. Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

22. What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath -- prepared for destruction?

23. What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory --

24. even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

25. As he says in Hosea: "I will call them `my people' who are not my people; and I will call her `my loved one' who is not my loved one,"

26. and, "It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, `You are not my people,' they will be called `sons of the living God.'"

27. Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.

28. For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality."

29. It is just as Isaiah said previously: "Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah."

30. What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;

31. but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.

32. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."

33. As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

[KJV]

Chapter9

1. I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

2. That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

3. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

4. Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth 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 as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

6. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

7. Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

8. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

9. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.

10. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

11. (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

12. It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

13. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

14. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

15. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

17. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20. Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

24. Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

25. As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

26. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

27. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

28. For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

29. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

30. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

31. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

32. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

33. As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

[NASB]

Chapter9

1. I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,

2. that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.

3. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, [separated] from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,

4. who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the [temple] service and the promises,

5. whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

6. But [it is] not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are [descended] from Israel;

7. neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED."

8. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.

9. For this is a word of promise: "AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON."

10. And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived [twins] by one man, our father Isaac;

11. for though [the twins] were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad, in order that God's purpose according to [His] choice might stand, not because of works, but because of Him who calls,

12. it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER."

13. Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED."

14. What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!

15. For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION."

16. So then it [does] not [depend] on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

17. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH."

18. So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

19. You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?"

20. On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it?

21. Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use?

22. What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?

23. And [He did so] in order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,

24. [even] us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

25. As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.'"

26. "AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, ' YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD. "

27. And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE AS THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED;

28. FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD UPON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY. "

29. And just as Isaiah foretold, "EXCEPT THE LORD OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY, WE WOULD HAVE BECOME AS SODOM, AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH."

30. What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith;

31. but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at [that] law.

32. Why? Because [they did] not [pursue it] by faith, but as though [it were] by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,

33. just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

[NIV]

Chapter10

1. Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

2. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

3. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

4. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5. Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."

6. But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, `Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down)

7. "or `Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

8. But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

9. That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

11. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

12. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile -- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

13. for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

14. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

15. And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

16. But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"

17. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

18. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

19. Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, "I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding."

20. And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."

21. But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."

[KJV]

Chapter10

1. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

6. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

7. Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is 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 in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

19. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

20. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

21. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

[NASB]

Chapter10

1. Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for [their] salvation.

2. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.

3. For not knowing about God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5. For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.

6. But the righteousness based on faith speaks thus, "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down),

7. or 'WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). "

8. But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

9. that if you confess with your mouth Jesus [as] Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved;

10. for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

11. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

12. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same [Lord] is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him;

13. for "WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

14. How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

15. And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!"

16. However, they did not all heed the glad tidings; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?"

17. So faith [comes] from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

18. But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; "THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD."

19. But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? At the first Moses says, "I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION, BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU."

20. And Isaiah is very bold and says, "I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO SOUGHT ME NOT, I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME."

21. But as for Israel He says, "ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE."

[NIV]

Chapter11

1. I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

2. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah -- how he appealed to God against Israel:

3. "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"?

4. And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal."

5. So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

6. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

7. What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,

8. as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day."

9. And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.

10. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."

11. Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

12. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!

13. I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry

14. in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.

15. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

16. If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17. If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,

18. do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.

19. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in."

20. Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.

21. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

23. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

24. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

25. I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

26. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

27. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."

28. As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,

29. for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.

30. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience,

31. so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you.

32. For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

33. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

34. "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"

35. "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"

36. For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

[KJV]

Chapter11

1. I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,

3. Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

5. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

6. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

7. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

8. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

9. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

10. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

11. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

12. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

13. For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

14. If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

15. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

16. For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

17. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18. Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

19. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

20. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

24. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

25. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

26. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27. For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

28. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.

29. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

30. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

31. Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

32. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

35. Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

[NASB]

Chapter11

1. I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in [the passage about] Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

3. "Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED THY PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN THINE ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE."

4. But what is the divine response to him? "I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL. "

5. In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to [God's] gracious choice.

6. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

7. What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

8. just as it is written, "GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY."

9. And David says, "LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.

10. "LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER."

11. I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation [has come] to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.

12. Now if their transgression be riches for the world and their failure be riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!

13. But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

14. if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.

15. For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will [their] acceptance be but life from the dead?

16. And if the first piece [of dough] be holy, the lump is also; and if the root be holy, the branches are too.

17. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,

18. do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, [ remember that] it is not you who supports the root, but the root [supports] you.

19. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."

20. Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;

21. for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.

22. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.

23. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again.

24. For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more shall these who are the natural [branches] be grafted into their own olive tree?

25. For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in;

26. and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB."

27. "AND THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS."

28. From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of [God's] choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers;

29. for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

30. For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,

31. so these also now have been disobedient, in order that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.

32. For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all.

33. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

34. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

35. Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?

36. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him [

[NIV]

Chapter12

1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship.

2. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

4. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,

5. so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

6. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.

7. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;

8. if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

9. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

10. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

11. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

12. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

13. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

16. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

18. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

19. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

20. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

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

[KJV]

Chapter12

1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13. Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

[NASB]

Chapter12

1. I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service of worship.

10. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

11. not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12. rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

13. contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.

15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

17. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

18. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

19. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath [of God,] for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

20. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS UPON HIS

3. For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

4. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

5. so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6. And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, [let each exercise them accordingly]: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

7. if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

8. or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

[NIV]

Chapter13

1. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

2. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

3. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.

4. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

5. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

6. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.

7. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

8. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

9. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

10. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11. And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

12. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

13. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

14. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

[KJV]

Chapter13

1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

[NASB]

Chapter13

1. Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

2. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

3. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same;

4. for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.

5. Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

6. For because of this you also pay taxes, for [rulers] are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

7. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax [is due;] custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

8. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled [the] law.

9. For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

10. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of [the] law.

11. And this [do,] knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

12. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

13. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

14. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no pro

[NIV]

Chapter14

1. Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.

2. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.

3. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.

4. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5. One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

6. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

7. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.

8. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

9. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

10. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.

11. It is written: "`As surely as I live,' says the Lord, `every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"

12. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

13. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

14. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

15. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.

16. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.

17. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

18. because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

19. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

20. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.

21. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

22. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

23. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

[KJV]

Chapter14

1. Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

2. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

3. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

4. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

5. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

7. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

8. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

9. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

14. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

16. Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

19. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

20. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

21. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

22. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

23. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

[NASB]

Chapter14

1. Now accept the one who is weak in faith, [but] not for [the purpose of] passing judgment on his opinions.

2. One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables [only.]

3. Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.

4. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5. One man regards one day above another, another regards every day [alike.] Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind.

6. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.

7. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;

8. for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

9. For to this end Christ died and lived [again], that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.

11. For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD."

12. So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.

14. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

16. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;

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 in this [way] serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19. So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

20. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.

21. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or [to do anything] by which your brother stumbles.

22. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

23. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because [his eating is] not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

[NIV]

Chapter15

1. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

2. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

3. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."

4. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

6. so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

8. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm‎ the promises made to the patriarchs

9. so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name."

10. Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."

11. And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples."

12. And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."

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

14. I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

15. I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me

16. to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17. Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.

18. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done --

19. by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

20. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.

21. Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."

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

23. But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you,

24. I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

25. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.

26. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

27. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.

28. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.

29. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

30. I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

31. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there,

32. so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

33. The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

[KJV]

Chapter15

1. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

3. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

5. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

6. That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

8. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm‎ the promises made unto the fathers:

9. And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

10. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

11. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

12. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

14. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

15. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,

16. That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

17. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

18. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

19. Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

20. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

21. But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

22. For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

23. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

24. Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

25. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

26. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

27. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

28. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

29. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

30. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

31. That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

32. That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

33. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

[NASB]

Chapter15

1. Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not [just] please ourselves.

2. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

3. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, " THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED THEE FELL UPON ME."

4. For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus;

6. that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7. Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

8. For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm‎ the promises [given] to the fathers,

9. and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, "THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO THEE AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO THY NAME."

10. And again he says, "REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE."

11. And again, "PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM."

12. And again Isaiah says, "THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE."

13. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

14. And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able also to admonish one another.

15. But I have written very boldly to you on some points, so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God,

16. to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, that [my] offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17. Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.

18. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed,

19. in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

20. And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was [already] named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation;

21. but as it is written, "THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND. "

22. For this reason I have often been hindered from coming to you;

23. but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you

24. whenever I go to Spain-- for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while--

25. but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints.

26. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

27. Yes, they were pleased [to do so,] and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

28. Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.

29. And I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.

30. Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

31. that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and [that] my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;

32. so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find [refreshing] rest in your company.

33. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

[NIV]

Chapter16

1. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.

2. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.

3. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.

4. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

6. Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

7. Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

8. Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord.

9. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

10. Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

11. Greet Herodion, my relative. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

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

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

15. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them.

16. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

17. I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

18. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

19. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

20. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21. Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.

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

23. Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.

24. (BLANK)

25. Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,

26. but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him --

27. to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

[KJV]

Chapter16

1. I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

2. That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

3. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

4. Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

5. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

6. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

7. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8. Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

9. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

10. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

11. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

12. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

13. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

14. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

15. Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

16. Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

17. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

19. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

20. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

21. Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

22. I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

23. Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

24. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

27. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

[NASB]

Chapter16

1. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;

2. that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

3. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

4. who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;

5. also [greet] the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.

6. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.

7. Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.

9. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

10. Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the [ household] of Aristobulus.

11. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the [household] of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

12. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.

13. Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.

14. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them.

15. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

16. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

17. Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

18. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

19. For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil.

20. And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21. Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and [so do] Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

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

23. Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.

24. {The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.}

25. Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,

26. but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, [leading] to obedience of faith;

27. to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.