1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle^(A) and set apart^(B) for the gospel of God^(C)— ² the gospel he promised beforehand^(D) through his prophets^(E) in the Holy Scriptures^{(F) 3} regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life^[a](G) was a descendant of David,^{(H) 4} and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power^[b](I) by his resurrection from the dead:^(J) Jesus Christ our Lord.^{(K) 5} Through him we received grace^(L) and apostleship to call all the Gentiles^(M) to the obedience that comes from^[c] faith^(N) for his name’s sake. ⁶ And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.^(O)

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel,^(A) because it is the power of God^(B) that brings salvation to everyone who believes:^(C) first to the Jew,^(D) then to the Gentile.^{(E) 17} For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed^(F)—a righteousness that is by faith^(G) from first to last,^[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”^[b](H)

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

¹⁸ The wrath of God^(I) is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, 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.^{(J) 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,^(K) so that people are without excuse.^(L)

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.^{(M) 22} Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools^{(N) 23} and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images^(O) made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

²⁴ Therefore God gave them over^(P) in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.^{(Q) 25} They exchanged the truth about God for a lie,^(R) and worshiped and served created things^(S) rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.^(T) Amen.^(U)

¹⁰ As it is written:

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says,^(B) it says to those who are under the law,^(C) so that every mouth may be silenced^(D) and the whole world held accountable to God.^{(E) 20} Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;^(F) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.^(G)

Righteousness Through Faith

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God^(H) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.^{(I) 22} This righteousness^(J) is given through faith^(K) in^[b] Jesus Christ^(L) to all who believe.^(M) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,^{(N) 23} for all have sinned^(O) and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified^(P) freely by his grace^(Q) through the redemption^(R) that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,^[c](S) through the shedding of his blood^(T)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished^(U)— ²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Peace and Hope

5 Therefore, since we have been justified^(A) through faith,^(B) we^[a] have peace^(C) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,^{(D) 2} through whom we have gained access^(E) by faith into this grace in which we now stand.^(F) And we^[b] boast in the hope^(G) of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings,^(H) because we know that suffering produces perseverance;^{(I) 4} perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope^(J) does not put us to shame, because God’s love^(K) has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,^(L) who has been given to us.

⁶ You see, at just the right time,^(M) when we were still powerless,^(N) Christ died for the ungodly.^{(O) 7} Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person 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.^(P)

⁹ Since we have now been justified^(Q) by his blood,^(R) how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath^(S) through him!

¹⁶ Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey^(A)—whether you are slaves to sin,^(B) which leads to death,^(C) or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God^(D) that, though you used to be slaves to sin,^(E) you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching^(F) that has now claimed your allegiance. ¹⁸ You have been set free from sin^(G) and have become slaves to righteousness.^(H)

¹⁹ I am using an example from everyday life^(I) because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness^(J) leading to holiness. ²⁰ When you were slaves to sin,^(K) you were free from the control of righteousness.^{(L) 21} What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!^{(M) 22} But now that you have been set free from sin^(N) and have become slaves of God,^(O) the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.^{(P) 23} For the wages of sin is death,^(Q) but the gift of God is eternal life^(R) in^[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.