37 David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.(A) 38 He also left Obed-Edom(B) and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah,(C) were gatekeepers.

39 David left Zadok(D) the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon(E) 40 to present burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law(F) of the Lord, which he had given Israel. 41 With them were Heman(G) and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, “for his love endures forever.” 42 Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song.(H) The sons of Jeduthun(I) were stationed at the gate.

43 Then all the people left, each for their own home, and David returned home to bless his family.

God’s Promise to David(J)

17 After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.(K)

Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind,(L) do it, for God is with you.”

But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You(M) are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders[a] whom I commanded to shepherd my people, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?(N)”’

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler(O) over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 10 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders(P) over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.

“‘I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you: 11 When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He is the one who will build(Q) a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.(R) 13 I will be his father,(S) and he will be my son.(T) I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. 14 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne(U) will be established forever.(V)’”

15 Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

David’s Prayer(W)

16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You, Lord God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men.

18 “What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, 19 Lord. For the sake(X) of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.(Y)

20 “There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you,(Z) as we have heard with our own ears. 21 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem(AA) a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 22 You made your people Israel your very own forever,(AB) and you, Lord, have become their God.

23 “And now, Lord, let the promise(AC) you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.

25 “You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. 26 You, Lord, are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. 27 Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight;(AD) for you, Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.”

David’s Victories(AE)

18 In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its surrounding villages from the control of the Philistines.

David also defeated the Moabites,(AF) and they became subject to him and brought him tribute.

Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah,(AG) in the vicinity of Hamath, when he went to set up his monument at[b] the Euphrates River.(AH) David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung(AI) all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

When the Arameans of Damascus(AJ) came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought him tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

David took the gold shields carried by the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. From Tebah[c] and Kun, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, David took a great quantity of bronze, which Solomon used to make the bronze Sea,(AK) the pillars and various bronze articles.

When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold, of silver and of bronze.

11 King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold he had taken from all these nations: Edom(AL) and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek.(AM)

12 Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites(AN) in the Valley of Salt. 13 He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

David’s Officials(AO)

14 David reigned(AP) over all Israel,(AQ) doing what was just and right for all his people. 15 Joab(AR) son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 16 Zadok(AS) son of Ahitub and Ahimelek[d](AT) son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was secretary; 17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites;(AU) and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 17:6 Traditionally judges; also in verse 10
  2. 1 Chronicles 18:3 Or to restore his control over
  3. 1 Chronicles 18:8 Hebrew Tibhath, a variant of Tebah
  4. 1 Chronicles 18:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate and Syriac (see also 2 Samuel 8:17); most Hebrew manuscripts Abimelek

37 So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:

38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:

39 And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the Lord in the high place that was at Gibeon,

40 To offer burnt offerings unto the Lord upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the Lord, which he commanded Israel;

41 And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever;

42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.

43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

17 Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord remaineth under curtains.

Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.

And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:

For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.

Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?

Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth.

Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,

10 And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the Lord will build thee an house.

11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:

14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

16 And David the king came and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

17 And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O Lord God.

18 What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.

19 O Lord, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.

20 O Lord, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, Lord, becamest their God.

23 Therefore now, Lord, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.

24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The Lord of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.

25 For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.

26 And now, Lord, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

27 Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O Lord, and it shall be blessed for ever.

18 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.

And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;

10 He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

11 Them also king David dedicated unto the Lord, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.

13 And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

14 So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.

15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.

16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.

Regular Worship Maintained

37 So he left (A)Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister before the ark regularly, as every day’s work (B)required; 38 and (C)Obed-Edom with his sixty-eight brethren, including Obed-Edom the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah, to be gatekeepers; 39 and Zadok the priest and his brethren the priests, (D)before the tabernacle of the Lord (E)at the [a]high place that was at Gibeon, 40 to offer burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly (F)morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the Law of the Lord which He commanded Israel; 41 and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the Lord, (G)because His mercy endures forever; 42 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, to sound aloud with trumpets and cymbals and the musical instruments of God. Now the sons of Jeduthun were gatekeepers.

43 (H)Then all the people departed, every man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.

God’s Covenant with David(I)

17 Now (J)it came to pass, when David was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent curtains.”

Then Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

But it happened that night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “You shall (K)not build Me a house to dwell in. For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought up Israel, even to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. Wherever I have moved about with all Israel, have I ever spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’ Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you (L)from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be [b]ruler over My people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have [c]made you a name like the name of the great men who are on the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will (M)plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 10 since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a [d]house. 11 And it shall be, when your days are (N)fulfilled, when you must [e]go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your (O)seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 (P)He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 (Q)I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, (R)as I took it from him who was before you. 14 And (S)I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”

15 According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

16 (T)Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 17 And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O God; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, O Lord God. 18 What more can David say to You for the honor of Your servant? For You know Your servant. 19 O Lord, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. 20 O Lord, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 (U)And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people—to make for Yourself a name by great and awesome deeds, by driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt? 22 For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, Lord, have become their God.

23 “And now, O Lord, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as You have said. 24 So let it be established, that Your name may be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You. 25 For You, O my God, [f]have revealed to Your servant that You will build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray before You. 26 And now, Lord, [g]You are God, and have promised this goodness to Your servant. 27 Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You have blessed it, O Lord, and it shall be blessed forever.”

David’s Further Conquests(V)

18 After this (W)it came to pass that David [h]attacked the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its towns from the hand of the Philistines. Then he [i]defeated (X)Moab, and the Moabites became David’s (Y)servants, and brought tribute.

And (Z)David [j]defeated [k]Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, as he went to establish his power by the River Euphrates. David took from him one thousand chariots, [l]seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. Also David [m]hamstrung all the chariot horses, except that he spared enough of them for one hundred chariots.

When the (AA)Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand of the Syrians. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought tribute. So the Lord preserved David wherever he went. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. Also from [n]Tibhath and from [o]Chun, cities of [p]Hadadezer, David brought a large amount of (AB)bronze, with which (AC)Solomon made the bronze [q]Sea, the pillars, and the articles of bronze.

Now when [r]Tou king of Hamath heard that David had [s]defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10 he sent [t]Hadoram his son to King David, to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and [u]defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou); and Hadoram brought with him all kinds of (AD)articles of gold, silver, and bronze. 11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold that he had brought from all these nations—from Edom, from Moab, from the (AE)people of Ammon, from the (AF)Philistines, and from (AG)Amalek.

12 Moreover (AH)Abishai the son of Zeruiah killed (AI)eighteen thousand [v]Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13 (AJ)He also put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord preserved David wherever he went.

David’s Administration(AK)

14 So David reigned over all Israel, and administered judgment and justice to all his people. 15 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16 Zadok the son of Ahitub and [w]Abimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests; [x]Shavsha was the scribe; 17 (AL)Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were [y]chief ministers at the king’s side.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 16:39 Place for pagan worship
  2. 1 Chronicles 17:7 leader
  3. 1 Chronicles 17:8 given you prestige
  4. 1 Chronicles 17:10 Royal dynasty
  5. 1 Chronicles 17:11 Die and join your ancestors
  6. 1 Chronicles 17:25 Lit. have uncovered the ear of
  7. 1 Chronicles 17:26 Or You alone are
  8. 1 Chronicles 18:1 Lit. struck
  9. 1 Chronicles 18:2 Lit. struck
  10. 1 Chronicles 18:3 Lit. struck
  11. 1 Chronicles 18:3 Heb. Hadarezer
  12. 1 Chronicles 18:4 seven hundred, 2 Sam. 8:4
  13. 1 Chronicles 18:4 crippled
  14. 1 Chronicles 18:8 Betah, 2 Sam. 8:8
  15. 1 Chronicles 18:8 Berothai, 2 Sam. 8:8
  16. 1 Chronicles 18:8 Heb. Hadarezer
  17. 1 Chronicles 18:8 Great laver or basin
  18. 1 Chronicles 18:9 Toi, 2 Sam. 8:9, 10
  19. 1 Chronicles 18:9 Lit. struck
  20. 1 Chronicles 18:10 Joram, 2 Sam. 8:10
  21. 1 Chronicles 18:10 Lit. struck
  22. 1 Chronicles 18:12 Syrians, 2 Sam. 8:13
  23. 1 Chronicles 18:16 Ahimelech, 2 Sam. 8:17
  24. 1 Chronicles 18:16 Seraiah, 2 Sam. 8:17, or Shisha, 1 Kin. 4:3
  25. 1 Chronicles 18:17 Lit. at the hand of the king

God’s Righteous Judgment

You, therefore, have no excuse,(A) you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.(B) Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches(C) of his kindness,(D) forbearance(E) and patience,(F) not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?(G)

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath(H), when his righteous judgment(I) will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a](J) To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor(K) and immortality,(L) he will give eternal life.(M) But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil,(N) there will be wrath and anger.(O) There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil:(P) first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;(Q) 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.(R) 11 For God does not show favoritism.(S)

12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law(T) 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(U) 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,(V) they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets(W) through Jesus Christ,(X) as my gospel(Y) declares.

The Jews and the Law

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;(Z) 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 little children, 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?(AA) 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?(AB) 23 You who boast in the law,(AC) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[b](AD)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:6 Psalm 62:12; Prov. 24:12
  2. Romans 2:24 Isaiah 52:5 (see Septuagint); Ezek. 36:20,22

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.

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

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?

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

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;

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

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

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

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.

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God’s Righteous Judgment

Therefore you are (A)inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, (B)for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise (C)the riches of His goodness, (D)forbearance, and (E)longsuffering, (F)not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your [a]impenitent heart (G)you are [b]treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who (H)“will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and (I)do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew (J)first and also of the [c]Greek; 10 (K)but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For (L)there is no partiality with God.

12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for (M)not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the (N)work of the law written in their hearts, their (O)conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 (P)in the day when God will judge the secrets of men (Q)by Jesus Christ, (R)according to my gospel.

The Jews Guilty as the Gentiles

17 [d]Indeed (S)you are called a Jew, and (T)rest[e] on the law, (U)and make your boast in God, 18 and (V)know His will, and (W)approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and (X)are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, (Y)having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 (Z)You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, (AA)do you rob temples? 23 You who (AB)make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For (AC)“the name of God is (AD)blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:5 unrepentant
  2. Romans 2:5 storing
  3. Romans 2:9 Gentile
  4. Romans 2:17 NU But if
  5. Romans 2:17 rely

16 The Lord is King for ever and ever;(A)
    the nations(B) will perish from his land.
17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;(C)
    you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,(D)
18 defending the fatherless(E) and the oppressed,(F)
    so that mere earthly mortals
    will never again strike terror.

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16 The Lord is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

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16 (A)The Lord is King forever and ever;
The nations have perished out of His land.
17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will prepare their heart;
You will cause Your ear to hear,
18 To [a]do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
That the man of the earth may [b]oppress no more.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 10:18 vindicate
  2. Psalm 10:18 terrify

The one who gets wisdom loves life;
    the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.(A)

A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and whoever pours out lies will perish.(B)

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He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

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He who gets [a]wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps understanding (A)will find good.

A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies shall perish.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:8 Lit. heart