Romans 1:8-25

New International Version

Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you,^(A) because your faith is being reported all over the world.^{(B) 9} God, whom I serve^(C) in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness^(D) how constantly I remember you ¹⁰ in my prayers at all times;^(E) and I pray that now at last by God’s will^(F) the way may be opened for me to come to you.^(G)

¹¹ I long to see you^(H) so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift^(I) to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware,^(J) brothers and sisters,^[a](K) that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now)^(L) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

¹⁴ I am obligated^(M) both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.^(N)

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel,^(O) because it is the power of God^(P) that brings salvation to everyone who believes:^(Q) first to the Jew,^(R) then to the Gentile.^{(S) 17} For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed^(T)—a righteousness that is by faith^(U) from first to last,^[b] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”^[c](V)

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

¹⁸ The wrath of God^(W) 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.^{(X) 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,^(Y) so that people are without excuse.^(Z)

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

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