A New Translation of Paul’s Letter to the

Romans

Based on the Westcott and Hort Text of 1881 with references to the Papyrus fragments of the Chester Beatty collections, c. 3^rd Century A.D. and the Sinaitic Manuscript of the 4^th Century.

Some notes on this translation:

Gentiles vs. nations:  Many translations have translated the Greek root ethn- as Gentiles. We have translated it as nations. The reason for the discrepancy is this: The Hebrew word goyim technically means nations, but as used by the Jews for millennia, the word implies non-Jewish nations, hence, Gentiles. In writing the New Testament, the Greek equivalent of goyim was used, but since the writing was done primarily by Jews, they tended to use the word to mean non-Jewish nations.  In reading this translation, readers should keep that in mind, realizing that when Paul said “nations,” he meant “non-Jewish nations.”

Thou vs. YOU: Many people today have a hard time understanding the Elizabethan usage of thou, thee, thy, etc. For this reason, we have chosen to avoid this archaic language. At the same time, we need to be able to fulfill the purpose of those words, which was to distinguish between a singular you and a plural YOU. Following the example of other translations, we have used all capital letters to indicate plural (more than one person addressed), and small letters to indicate singular (one person addressed).

Words in italics: Following the example of other translations, we have used italics for words that are not in the original text, but which are essential to the sense of the original when translated into English. Unlike other translations, however, we have NOT added words which alter the meaning of the original.

Words in (parentheses): These are not part of the biblical text, but are notes of explanation from the translator.

Man and Woman vs. Husband and Wife: Greek has no specific words for husband or wife, but uses the words man and woman, as do many other languages. We have translated the words man and woman as such, but in proper context, the readers should understand them to mean husband and wife.

Perfect vs. Complete: Many English versions use the word “perfect” both as a verb and as an adjective, to translate a particular Greek root. We have also used it occasionally, but it should be understood as perfect in the sense of “complete” and not in the sense of “without flaw.”

Romans 1

1 Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, called an apostle, separated for the gospel of God,

2 which he promised before through his prophets in the holy scriptures,

3 concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

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

5 through whom we received grace and apostleship, into obedience of faith in all the nations, for his name's sake;

6 in which nations YOU are also called Jesus Christ's:

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

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of YOU, because YOUR faith is spoken of in the whole world.

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of YOU always in my prayers

10 making request, if by any means now at last I may succeed by the will of God to come to YOU.

11 For I long to see YOU, that I may impart to YOU a spiritual gift, so that YOU may be established;

12 that is, to be encouraged together with YOU, each of us by the other's faith, both YOURS and mine.

13 But I am not willing for YOU to be ignorant, brethren, that many times I intended to come to YOU, --but I was hindered till now--, so that I might have some fruit in YOU also, just as in the rest of the nations.

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

15 So, on my part, I am ready to preach the gospel to YOU who are in Rome also.

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

17 For God’s righteousness is revealed in it, by faith into faith: as it is written, ‘But the righteous will live by faith.’

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

19 because that which is known about God is manifest in them; for God manifested it to them.

20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, his eternal power and Godhead; that they may be without excuse:

21 because, having known God, they did not glorify or thank him as God, but became vain in their reasonings, and their unintelligent heart was darkened.

22 Asserting themselves to be wise, they became foolish,

23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up, in the desires of their hearts, into uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves:

25 who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 Therefore God gave them up to passions of dishonor: for their women exchanged the natural use for that which is against their nature:

27 and likewise also the men, laying aside the natural (i.e., according to their own nature) use of the woman, burned in their longing for one another, men with men, working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error which was necessary.

28 And just as they did not approve of having God in true knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do the things which are unbecoming;

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, bad character; whisperers,

30 backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without affection, merciless:

32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but also approve of those practicing them.

Romans 2

1 Therefore you are without excuse, O man who is judging: for in what you are judging another, you are condemning yourself; for you who judge are practicing the same things.

2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those practicing such things.

3 But are you thinking, O man who is judging those who are practicing such things, yet doing them himself, that you will escape the judgment of God?

4 Or are you despising the riches of his goodness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God is leading you to repentance?

5 But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart, you are amassing for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

6 who will repay to every one according to his works:

7 to those who, by endurance in good work, seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:

8 but to those who are contentious, and disobeying the truth, but obeying unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation,

9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man working evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;

10 but glory and honor and peace to every one working good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek:

11 for there is no respect of persons with God.

12 For as many as have sinned without law, they also will perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law, will be judged by the law;

13 for the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified:

14 For when the nations that do not have the law do the things of the law by their own nature, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves;

15 showing the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness with them, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them

16 in the day when God will judge the hidden things of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.

17 But if you are called a Jew, and are resting on the law, and boasting in God,

18 and knowing his will, and approving of the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

19 and are confident that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness,

20 a trainer of the ignorant, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law --

21 you, therefore, teaching another, aren’t you teaching yourself? You preaching not to steal, do you steal?

22 You saying not to commit adultery, are you committing adultery? You disgusted by idols, are you robbing temples?

23 You who boast in the law, are you dishonoring God through your transgression of the law?

24 For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the nations because of YOU,’ just as it is written.

25 For circumcision indeed is useful, if you practice the law: but if you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

26 If therefore the uncircumcised keeps the ordinances of the law, won’t his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

27 and won’t the one who is by nature uncircumcised, accomplishing the law, judge you, who by writing and circumcision are a transgressor of the law?

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

29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the spirit, not by the writing; whose praise is not from men, but from God.

Romans 3

1 What therefore is the superiority of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

2 Much in every way: first of all, because they were entrusted with the sayings of God.

3 For what? If some disbelieved, would their disbelief make the faithfulness of God of no effect?

4 May it not happen! But let God be true, but every man a liar; just as it is written, ‘That you should be justified in your words, and should be victorious in the coming judgment.’

5 But if our unrighteousness shows the righteousness of God, what shall we say? ‘Isn’t God unrighteous who inflicts wrath?’ -- I am speaking as man. --

6 May it not happen! Otherwise, how would God judge the world?

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

8 and why not --as we are blaspehemed, and as some claim that we say--, ‘Let us do evil, so that good may come?’ whose judgment is just. (that is, the judgment of those who make the false claim)

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all: for we previously accused both Jews and Greeks, of all being under sin;

10 just as it has been written, ‘There is none righteous, no, not one;

11 not one understanding, not one is seeking for God;

12 They have all turned aside, together they became useless; There is none doing good, not even one.’

13 ‘Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they have deceived.’ ‘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 ‘Ruin and misery are in their ways,

17 and they have not known the way of peace;’

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

19 But we know that as many things as the law is saying, it is speaking to those under the law; so that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world should be brought under the sentence of God:

20 therefore no flesh will be justified in his sight by the works of the law; for through the law comes the true knowledge of sin.

21 But now without the law, God’s righteousness has been manifested, being witnessed about by the law and the prophets:

22 God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ to all those who believe; for there is no difference;

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

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

25 whom God set forth, atonement through faith, by his blood, to show his righteousness through the letting by of the previously committed sins, by the tolerance of God;

26 for the showing of his righteousness in this present season: that he might be righteous, and justifying the one who has faith in Jesus.

27 Where then is the boasting? It is locked out. By what kind of law? Of works? No; but through the law of faith.

28 For we consider a man to be justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

29 Or is he God of the Jews only? Not of the nations also? Yes, of the nations also,

30 if God is one, who will justify circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31 Do we then make the law of no effect through faith? May it not happen! Rather, we establish the law.

Romans 4

1 What shall we say then about Abraham our forefather according to the flesh?

2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has cause for boasting, but not toward God.

3 For what does the scripture say? ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’

4 Now to one who is working, the reward is not counted as grace, but as a debt.

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

6 Just as David also speaks of the blessing of the man, to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 ‘Blessed are they whose iniquities are pardoned, and whose sins are covered.

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

9 Is this blessing then upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say, ‘To Abraham, faith was counted as righteousness.’

10 How then was it counted? To him being 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 that he had while in uncircumcision; to be the father of all who believe through uncircumcision, that righteousness might be counted to them;

12 and father of circumcision not only to those who are of the circumcision, but also to those who walk in the footsteps of the faith of our father Abraham in uncircumcision.

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

14 For if they of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect:

15 for the law works wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith, so that according to grace, the promise may be sure to all the seed; not to the one of the law only, but also to the one of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,

17 just as it has been written, ‘I have made you father of many nations,’ before God, whom he believed, who makes the dead alive, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.

18 Who, beyond hope, believed in hope, to become father of many nations, according to what had been said, ‘So will your seed be.’

19 And not having weakened in faith, he considered his own body already dead, --being about a hundred years old--, and the deadness of Sarah's womb;

20 but, for the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but was empowered by faith, giving glory to God,

21 and being fully confident that, what he has promised, he is also powerful to do.

22 And therefore it was counted to him as righteousness.

23 But it was not written for his sake alone, that it was counted to him;

24 but also for our sake, to whom it will be counted, believing in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

25 who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised up for our justification.

Romans 5

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

2 through whom also we have had access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and may we boast of hope of the glory of God.

3 But not only that, but may we also boast in tribulations: knowing that tribulation works endurance;

4 and endurance, trustworthiness; and trustworthiness, hope:

5 and hope does not put to shame; because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.

6 For indeed, while we were yet weak, at the proper time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For with difficulty, someone will die for a righteous person: and for the good, someone would even readily venture to die.

8 But God shows his own love for us, because, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

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

10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, so much more, being reconciled, will we be saved by his life;

11 and not only that, but also we boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

12 Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and through sin, death; and so death came to all men, because they all sinned:--

13 for until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not counted when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a type (that is, a mold or model) of the one to come.

15 But the gift is not as the trespass: For if by the trespass of the one the many died, so much more the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded to the many.

16 And the gift is not as through one who sinned: for indeed the judgment came of one into condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses into justification.

17 For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will they, receiving the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness, reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.

18 So then, as through one trespass condemnation came to all men, even so through one act of righteousness justification of life came to all men.

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

20 But the law came in alongside, so that the trespass might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded much more:

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

Romans 6

1 So then, what shall we say? Should we continue in sin, so that grace might increase?

2 May it not happen! We who died to sin, how should we live in it any longer?

3 Or are YOU ignorant that as many of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death: so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together (i.e., buried) in the likeness of his death, we shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection;

6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, so that the body of sin might be made of no effect, that we should no longer be slaves to sin;

7 for the one who has died has been justified from sin.

8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him;

9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more; death has no more dominion over him.

10 For the death he died, he died to sin once and for all: but the life he is living, he lives to God.

11 So YOU also 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, to obey its desires,

13 neither provide YOUR members as tools of unrighteousness for sin; but present YOURSELVES to God, as alive from the dead, and YOUR members as tools of righteousness for God.

14 For sin will not have dominion over YOU, for YOU are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? Should we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? May it not happen!

16 Don’t YOU know, that to whom YOU provide YOURSELVES as slaves in obedience, YOU are the slaves of whom YOU obey, either of sin into death, or of obedience into righteousness?

17 But thank God that YOU were slaves of sin, but YOU obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine into which YOU were delivered;

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

19 I am speaking after the manner of men because of the weakness of YOUR flesh: for just as YOU presented YOUR members as slaves to uncleanness and to iniquity for the purpose of iniquity, even so now present YOUR members as slaves to righteousness for the purpose of holiness.

20 For when YOU were slaves of sin, YOU were free of righteousness.

21 What fruit, therefore, did YOU have then from the things of which YOU are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

22 But now having been freed from sin and having become slaves to God, YOU have YOUR fruit in holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

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

Romans 7

1 Or are YOU ignorant, brethren --for I am speaking to those who know the law-- that the law has dominion over a man for so long a time as he lives?

2 For the married woman is bound by law to the man while he is living; but if the man should die, she is delivered from the law of the man.

3 Therefore, if, while her man lives, she should become joined to another man, she will be called an adulteress: but if her man should die, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, being joined to another man.

4 So, my brethren, YOU also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that YOU should be joined to another, to the one who was raised from the dead, so that we should bear fruit to God.

5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, worked in our members to bear fruit to death.

6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to that by which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the writing.

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it not happen! However, I would not have known sin, if not through the law: for I would not have known coveting, if the law had not said, ‘you shall not covet;’

8 but sin, finding an opportunity through the commandment, worked in me every type of coveting: for without the law, sin is dead.

9 But I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin came back to life, and I died;

10 and the commandment, which was for life, this I found to be for death:

11 for sin, receiving an opportunity through the commandment, seduced me, and through it, killed me.

12 Therefore, the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.

13 Then did that which is good become death to me? May it not happen! But sin, that it might be shown as sin by working death to me through the good thing; so that through the commandment, sin might become far more sinful.

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

15 For what I am doing, I don’t know: for what I do not want, that do I practice; but what I hate, that I am doing.

16 But if I am doing what I don’t want to, I am agreeing that the law is good.

17 But now it is not I doing it anymore, but the sin dwelling in me.

18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, no good thing dwells: for being willing is present with me, but to be doing the good thing is not.

19 For the good thing I want to do, I do not do: but the evil which I am not willing to do, this I practice.

20 But if I do what I don’t want to, it is no longer I who do it, but the sin dwelling in me.

21 I find then the law: that, to me who wants to do good, evil is present.

22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man:

23 but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and taking me captive to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 I am a miserable man! Who will rescue me out of the body of this death?

25 But thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh, the law of sin.

Romans 8

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you (same manuscripts say “me”) from the law of sin and of death.

3 For the law  being powerless, 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 so that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

5 For those according to the flesh set their mind on the things of the flesh; but those according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

6 For setting the mind on the flesh is death; but setting the mind on the Spirit is life and peace:

7 because setting the mind on the flesh is hostility to God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be:

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

9 But YOU are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God is dwelling in YOU. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, that one is not his.

10 But if Christ is in YOU, the body is indeed dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead is dwelling in YOU, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also make YOUR mortal bodies alive through his Spirit dwelling in YOU.

12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh:

13 for if YOU live according to the flesh, YOU will die; but if by the Spirit YOU put to death the deeds of the body, YOU will live.

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

15 For YOU did not receive the spirit of slavery again into fear; but YOU received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry, Abba, Father! (“abba” means “father” in Aramaic, and “daddy” or “papa” in Hebrew)

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

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

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time do not compare to the glory which will be revealed in us.

19 For the eager expectation of the creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God.

20 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not voluntarily, but because of the one who subjected it, in hope

21 that the creation itself will also be delivered from the slavery of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.

22 For we know that all creation groans and travails in pain (that is, “has labor pains”) together until now.

23 And not only that, but also ourselves, having the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.

24 For we were saved in hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopes for what he sees?

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

26 And likewise, the Spirit also helps our weakness: for we do not know what we should pray for as is needed; but the Spirit itself intercedes for us with unutterable groanings;

27 and the one searching the hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to God.

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

29 For the ones he foreknew, he also foreordained conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

30 but those he foreordained, these he also called: and those he called, these he also justified: and those 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 would he not also with him freely give us all things?

33 Who will bring an accusation against God's elect? God is the one justifying;

34 Who is the one condemning? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but rather, has been raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

36 Just as it is written, ‘For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were counted as sheep for slaughter.’

37 But in all these things we are more than conquerors through the one who loved us.

38 For I am certain, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor governments, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

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

Romans 9

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

2 that I have great sadness and unceasing pain in my heart.

3 For I was wishing that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my relatives according to the flesh:

4 who are Israelites; whose are the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the divine service, and the promises;

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

6 But it is not that the word of God has failed. For not all out of Israel, are Israel:

7 neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are all children: but, ‘in Isaac your seed will be called.’

8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for seed.

9 For this is a word of promise, ‘According to the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.’

10 And not only that, but Rebecca also from one having relations, from our father Isaac,

11 for not yet having been born, nor having done anything good or evil, so that the purpose of God in regard to election might remain, not of works, but of the one calling,

12 it was said to her, ‘The older will be a slave to the younger.’

13 Just as it is written, ‘I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.’

14 What shall we say then? Isn’t there injustice with God? May it not happen!

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 is not of the one wanting, nor of the one running, but of God, who has mercy.

17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very reason I raised you up, so that I should show my power in you, and so that my name should be declared in all the earth.’

18 So then he shows mercy on whom he will, and whom he will, he hardens.

19 So you will say to me, ‘Then why does he still find fault? For who has stood against his will?’

20 O man, so then who are you to be answering back God? Will the thing formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me this way?’

21 Or doesn’t the potter have authority over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and one part for dishonor?

22 But what if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath made fit for destruction:

23 so that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he prepared ahead of time for glory,

24 us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews, but also from the nations?

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 will be in the place where it was said to them, YOU are not my people, there they will be called sons of the living God.’

27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, ‘If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved:

28 for the Lord will fully complete his word upon the earth, and do it quickly.’

29 And, as Isaiah had said before, ‘If the Lord of Sabaoth had not left in us a seed, we would have become as Sodom, and been like Gomorrah.’ (“Sabaoth” from Hebrew “Tsva’ot” – “hosts” or “armies”)

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, not pursuing righteousness, apprehended righteousness, but the righteousness of faith:

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

32 Why not? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as by works. They stumbled on the stone of stumbling;

33 just as it is written, ‘Look, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: and the one believing in him will not be put to shame.’

Romans 10

1 Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication to God is for them, for salvation.

2 For I am bearing witness to them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to true knowledge.

3 For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they were not subjected to the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the conclusion of the law for righteousness to every one who believes.

5 For Moses writes that the man who has done the righteousness of the law will live by it.

6 But the righteousness of faith says this, ‘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 is it saying? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;’ that is, the word of faith, which we are preaching.

9 For if you should profess the word with your mouth, for Jesus is Lord, and should believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved:

10 for with the heart it is believed into righteousness, but with the mouth it is professed into salvation.

11 For the scripture says, ‘Every one believing in him will not be put to shame.’

12 For there is no distinction of Jew and Greek: for the same one is Lord of all, being rich to all who call upon him:

13 for, ‘everyone who will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.’

14 How then should they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how should they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how should they hear without a preacher?

15 And how should they preach, if they are not sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those announcing good news of good things!’

16 But they did not all obey the good news. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who believed our report?’

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the words of Christ.

18 But I am saying, Didn’t they hear? Of course: ‘Their sound went out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the land.’

19 But I am saying, Didn’t Israel know? First Moses says, ‘I will provoke YOU to jealousy through that which is not a nation; I will anger YOU with an unintelligent nation.’

20 But Isaiah is very bold, and says, ‘I was found by those not seeking me; I was seen by (or “became manifest to”) those not asking for me.

21 But regarding Israel he says, ‘All day long did I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contradicting people.’

Romans 11

1 I am saying then, Did God reject his people? May it not happen! For I am also an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God did not reject his people whom he foreknew. Or do YOU not know what the scripture says about Elijah, as he pleads with God against Israel?

3 ‘Lord, they killed your prophets, they tore down your altars; and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life (literally “my soul”).’

4 But what is the divine response saying to him? ‘I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bent their knee to Baal.’

5 Even so then, at this present time also, there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works: otherwise grace is no longer grace.

7 What then? What Israel is seeking for, this he did not attain; but the chosen attained, and the rest were hardened:

8 just as it is written, ‘God gave them a spirit of slumber (the Greek word refers to the “pins and needles” sensation in a limb that has “fallen asleep” from disuse), eyes not for seeing, and ears not for hearing, to this very day.

9 And David says, ‘Let their table become a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense (that is, a “payback”) to them:

10 Let their eyes be darkened, so they do not see, and bend their back for ever.’

11 I am saying then, Did they stumble so that they might fall? May it not happen! But by their falling away, there is salvation to the nations, to provoke them to jealousy.

12 But if their falling away is the riches of the world, and their failure the riches of the nations; how much more their fullness?

13 But I am speaking to YOU the nations. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of nations, I glorify my ministry,

14 if somehow I might provoke those of my flesh to jealousy, and might save some of them.

15 For if their rejection is reconciliation of the world, what would their receiving be, if not life from the dead?

16 And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and became partaker of the root of the fatness of the olive tree;

18 do not gloat over the branches: but if you gloat, it is not you bearing the root, but the root you.

19 You will say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

20 All right. By their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be highminded, but fear:

21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.

22 See then the goodness and severity of God: to those who fell, severity; but to you, God's goodness, if you remain in his goodness: otherwise you will also be cut off.

23 And they also, if they do not remain in unbelief, will be grafted in: for God is powerful to graft them in again.

24 For if you were cut out of what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted against your nature into a good olive tree; how much more will these, the natural, be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 For I am not willing, brethren, for YOU to be ignorant of this mystery, lest YOU be conceited in yourselves, that partial blindness (or “hardness”) has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations has come in;

26 and so all Israel will be saved: just as it has been written, ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion; He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27 And this is my covenant to them, when I take away their sins.’

28 In regard to the gospel, they are enemies for YOUR sake: but in regard to the chosen, they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.

29 For the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance (that is, God does not repent of them or withdraw them).

30 For just as YOU were once disobedient to God, but now were shown mercy by their disobedience,

31 so also these now disobeyed, resulting in YOUR mercy, so they also might now obtain mercy.

32 For God has shut all up together in disobedience, so that he might show mercy to all.

33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and untraceable his ways!

34 For ‘who knew the mind of the Lord? Or who became his counselor?’

35 or ‘who has first given to him, and it will be paid back to him?’

36 For all things are from him, and through him, and for him. To him be the glory into the ages. Amen.

Romans 12

1 I ask YOU therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present YOUR bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is YOUR reasonable divine service.

2 And do not be fashioned according to this age: but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so you may determine what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

3 For I am saying, through the grace given to me, to everyone that is among YOU, not to think of himself more highly than it is necessary to think; but to think so as to be of sound mind, as God has divided to each a measure of faith.

4 For just as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function:

5 so we, the many, are one body in Christ, and members belonging to one another.

6 And having differing gifts according to the grace given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 or ministry, let us give ourselves to ministry; or the one teaching, to the teaching;

8 or the one encouraging, to the encouragement: the one giving, with generosity; the one ruling, with eagerness; the one showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; adhere to that which is good.

10 With brotherly love for familial affection (the Greek word refers to the type of love between members of the same family) one to another; lead the way in honoring one another;

11 Do your best, don’t be lazy; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12 rejoicing in hope; enduring in tribulation; persevering in prayer;

13 sharing for the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.

14 Bless those persecuting YOU; bless, and do not curse.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not be high-minded, but yield to lowly things. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay evil for evil to anyone. Provide good things in the sight of all men.

18 If possible, as much as is in YOUR power, be at peace with all men.

19 Do not avenge YOURSELVES, beloved, but give place for the anger. For it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.’

20 But ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink: for in doing this, you will heap coals of fire upon his head.’

21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Romans 13

1 Let every soul be in subjection to higher authorities: for there is no authority except by God; and those that be have been set in order by God.

2 Therefore the one who opposes the authority, is standing against the arrangement of God: and those who stand against it will receive judgment to themselves.

3 For the rulers are not a cause of fear to the good work, but to the evil. But do you want to have no fear of the authority? Do good, and you will have praise from it:

4 for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for it is not carrying the sword for nothing: for it is a servant of God, an avenger for anger to the one practicing evil.

5 Therefore it is necessary to subject oneself, not only because of the anger, but also for the sake of conscience.

6 For this reason YOU pay taxes also; for they are God's public servants, persevering for this very thing.

7 Render to all their dues: tax to whom tax is due; duty (that is, a tariff) to whom duty is due; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

8 Owe nothing to anyone, except to be loving one another: for the one who loves the other has fulfilled the law.

9 For this, ‘You will not commit adultery, you will not kill, you will not steal, you will not covet,’ and any other commandment there may be, it is summed up in this word, that is, ‘You will love your neighbor as yourself.’

10 Love works no evil to its neighbor, so love is the fulfillment of the law.

11 And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for YOU to be roused out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed.

12 The night is well advanced, and the day is at hand: We should therefore take off the works of darkness, and should put on the instruments of light.

13 We should walk decently, as in the day; not in carousing and drunkenness, not in casual sex (the Greek word corresponds to the English expression “bed-hopping”) and loose behavior, not in strife and jealousy.

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not plan ahead for the desires of the flesh.

Romans 14

1 But receive the one who is weak in faith, but not for deciding debates.

2 One has faith to eat all things: but the one who is weak eats vegetables.

3 Let the one eating not look down on the one who does not eat; and let the one who does not eat, not judge the one eating: for God has received him.

4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own lord he stands or falls. But he will stand; for the Lord is powerful to make him stand.

5 One esteems one day above another: but another one esteems every day alike. Let each one be fully assured in his own mind.

6 The one observing the day, observes it to the Lord: and the one eating, eats to the Lord, for he is giving thanks to God; and the one not eating, to the Lord he does not eat, and is giving thanks to God.

7 For none of us is living to himself, and no one dies to himself.

8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord: Therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

9 For Christ died and lived for this, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 But you, why are you judging your brother? Or you also, why do you look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God.

11 For it has been written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will acknowledge God.’

12 So then each one of us will give account of himself to God.

13 Therefore let us not judge one another any more: but rather, judge this, that no one put a stumblingblock before a brother, or a cause of falling.

14 I know, and have been persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: except to the one who considers something to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15 For if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food one for whom Christ died.

16 Therefore, do not let YOUR good be blasphemed:

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 For the one who serves Christ in this is well-pleasing to God, and approved by men.

19 So then let us pursue things of peace, and things of building up one another.

20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean; however it is evil for that man who eats with offence:

21 It is good not to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor anything by which your brother stumbles.

22 The faith which you have, have to yourself before God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he allows.

23 But the one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat out of faith; and everything that is not of faith is sin.

Romans 15

1 But we, the powerful ones, ought to bear the weaknesses of those who are not powerful, and not to please ourselves. (The Greek word translated “weaknesses” refers to scruples of conscience, in regard to what things are permitted and what are not. Paul is still dealing with the food issue of the previous chapter.)

2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for what is good, into building up.

3 For Christ also did not please himself; but, as it is written, ‘The taunts of the ones taunting you fell upon me.’

4 For as many things as were written before, were all written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through the comfort of the scriptures we may have hope.

5 But may the God of endurance and of comfort grant YOU to be of the same mind one with another as Christ Jesus:

6 so that with one mind YOU may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us (some versions say “YOU”), for the glory of God.

8 For I am saying that Christ has become a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises to the fathers,

9 and that the nations glorify God for his mercy; as it has been written, ‘Therefore I will acknowledge you among the nations, and make music to your name.’

10 And again he says, ‘Rejoice, nations, with his people.’

11 And again, ‘Praise the Lord, all the nations; and let all the peoples praise him.’

12 And again, Isaiah says, ‘There will be the root of Jesse, And he that arises to rule over the nations, on him the nations will hope.’

13 And may the God of hope fill YOU with all joy and peace to be believing, that YOU may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

14 And I myself also am persuaded about YOU, my brethren, that YOU YOURSELVES are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and powerful to admonish one another.

15 But I wrote more boldly to YOU in part, as reminding YOU, through the grace that was given to me from God,

16 that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to the nations, ministering the gospel of God, so that the presentation of the nations might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17 Therefore I have my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.

18 For I will not dare to speak anything but of those things which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the nations, by word and deed,

19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round as far as Illyricum, I have fulfilled the gospel of Christ;

20 but, being so eager to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not be building on another's foundation;

21 but, as it is written, ‘They will see, to whom no news of him came, and they who have not heard will understand.’

22 Therefore also I was hindered many times from coming to YOU:

23 but now, having no place in these regions any more, but having for enough years a longing to come to YOU,

24 whenever I may go to Spain --for I am hoping to see YOU on the way, and to be sent on my way there by YOU, after I have been in some measure satisfied with YOU--

25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints.

26 For it was the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make some sharing for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

27 For it was their good pleasure, and they are also their debtors. For if the nations have shared in their spiritual things, they owe it also to minister to them in fleshly things.

28 Therefore when I have finished this, and have sealed this fruit to them, I will go off to Spain by way of YOU.

29 And I know that, coming to YOU, I will come with the fullness of Christ’s blessing.

30 Now I am asking YOU, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that YOU labor together with me in YOUR prayers to God for me,

31 so that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and my ministry which is for Jerusalem might be acceptable to the saints,

32 that having come to YOU in joy through the will of God, I might rest together with YOU.

33 Now the God of peace be with all of YOU. Amen.

Romans 16

1 And I am introducing to YOU Phoebe our sister, who is also a deacon of the church that is in Cenchreae:

2 so that YOU might receive her in the Lord, in a manner worthy of the saints, and that YOU might stand beside her in whatever matter she may be needing from YOU: for she has also been a patron (possibly “defender” or “protector”) of many, and also of me myself.

3 Greet Prisca (nickname of Priscilla) and Aquila, my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus,

4 who for my life laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the nations:

5 and greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the first-fruits of Asia for Christ.

6 Greet Mary, who labored much for YOU.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow-prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also have been 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 of the household of Aristobulus.

11 Greet Herodion my relative. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, women laboring in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved woman, who labored much in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren who are 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 am asking YOU, brethren, take note of those who are making the divisions and causes of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which YOU learned: and avoid them.

18 For such are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth words and blessing they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

19 For report of YOUR obedience has spread to all. Therefore I am rejoicing over YOU: but I want YOU to be wise for what is good, but innocent for what is evil.

20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under YOUR feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with YOU.

21 Timothy my fellow-worker greets YOU, as do my relatives Lucius and Jason and Sosipater.

22 I Tertius, the one who wrote this letter, greet YOU in the Lord.

23 Gaius my host, and host of the whole church, greets YOU. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets YOU, and Brother Quartus.

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with YOU all. Amen. (Some manuscripts do not have this verse.)

25 Now to him who is powerful to establish YOU according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which had been kept in silence for times everlasting,

26 but now has been manifested, and has been made known to all the nations by the prophetic scriptures for obedience of faith, according to the commandment of the eternal God.

27 To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory into the ages. Amen.