¹¹ The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus^(A) from Nazareth in Galilee.”

¹⁹ Pilate also had a sign made and put on the cross. It said: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.

¹⁴ The Word^(A) became flesh^(B) and dwelt^[a] among us. We observed his glory,^(C) the glory as the one and only^(D) Son^[b] from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Faith Triumphs

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,^(A) we have peace^[a] with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(B) 2} We have also obtained access through him^(C) by faith^[b] into this grace in which we stand,^(D) and we boast^[c] in the hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that,^(E) but we also boast in our afflictions,^(F) because we know that affliction produces endurance,^{(G) 4} endurance produces proven character,^(H) and proven character produces hope. ⁵ This hope will not disappoint us,^(I) because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts^(J) through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The Justified Are Reconciled

⁶ For while we were still helpless, at the right time,^(K) Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. ⁸ But God proves^(L) his own love for us^(M) in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood,^(N) will we be saved through him from wrath.^{(O) 10} For if, while we were enemies,^(P) we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.^{(Q) 11} And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.^(R)

Death through Adam and Life through Christ

¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,^(S) and death through sin,^(T) in this way death spread to all people,^(U) because all sinned.^{[d] 13} In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law.^{(V) 14} Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression.^(W) He is a type of the Coming One.^(X)

¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man^(Y) Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. ¹⁶ And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment,^(Z) resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.^{[e] 17} If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life^(AA) through the one man, Jesus Christ.

¹⁸ So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life^(AB) for everyone. ¹⁹ For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners,^(AC) so also through the one man’s obedience^(AD) the many will be made righteous. ²⁰ The law came along to multiply the trespass.^(AE) But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more^{(AF) 21} so that, just as sin reigned in death,^(AG) so also grace will reign^(AH) through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pleasing Others, Not Ourselves

15 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength,^(A) and not to please ourselves. ² Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.^{(B) 3} For even Christ did not please himself.^(C) On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.^{[a](D) 4} For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction,^(E) so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. ⁵ Now may the God who gives^[b] endurance and encouragement^(F) grant you to live in harmony with one another,^(G) according to Christ Jesus, ⁶ so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ^(H) with one mind and one voice.

Glorifying God Together

⁷ Therefore welcome one another,^(I) just as^[c] Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God. ⁸ For I say that Christ became a servant of the circumcised^[d] on behalf of God’s truth,^(J) to confirm the promises to the fathers,^{(K) 9} and so that Gentiles^(L) may glorify God for his mercy.^(M) As it is written,

¹⁰ Again it says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people!^{[f](O) 11} And again,

¹² And again, Isaiah says,

¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe^(S) so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.^(T)

From Jerusalem to Illyricum

¹⁴ My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness,^(U) filled with all knowledge,^(V) and able to instruct one another. ¹⁵ Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points^[i] because of the grace given me by God^{(W) 16} to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles,^(X) serving as a priest of the gospel of God.^(Y) God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering,^(Z) sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus^(AA) regarding what pertains to God.^{(AB) 18} For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me^(AC) by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, ¹⁹ by the power of miraculous signs and wonders,^(AD) and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem^(AE) all the way around to Illyricum.^{[j](AF) 20} My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named,^(AG) so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation,^{(AH) 21} but, as it is written,

Paul’s Travel Plans

²² That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you.^{(AJ) 23} But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions,^[l] and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you^{(AK) 24} whenever I travel to Spain.^[m] For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there,^(AL) once I have first enjoyed your company^(AM) for a while. ²⁵ Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem^(AN) to serve the saints,^{(AO) 26} because Macedonia^(AP) and Achaia^(AQ) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. ²⁷ Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits,^(AR) then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs. ²⁸ So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds^[n] to them,^[o](AS) I will visit you on the way to Spain. ²⁹ I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing^[p] of Christ.

³⁰ Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit,^(AT) to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.^{(AU) 31} Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea,^(AV) that my ministry to^[q] Jerusalem^(AW) may be acceptable to the saints,^{(AX) 32} and that, by God’s will,^(AY) I may come to you with joy^(AZ) and be refreshed together with you.

³³ May the God of peace be with all of you.^(BA) Amen.

Paul’s Commendation of Phoebe

16 I commend to you^(BB) our sister Phoebe, who is a servant^[r] of the church in Cenchreae.^{(BC) 2} So you should welcome her in the Lord^(BD) in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many—and of me also.

Greeting to Roman Christians

³ Give my greetings to Prisca^[s] and Aquila,^(BE) my coworkers in^(BF) Christ Jesus,^{(BG) 4} who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. ⁵ Greet also the church that meets in their home.^(BH) Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert^[t](BI) to Christ from Asia.^{[u](BJ) 6} Greet Mary,^[v] who has worked very hard for you.^{[w] 7} Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews^[x](BK) and fellow prisoners.^(BL) They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles,^[y] and they were also in Christ before me. ⁸ Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. ⁹ Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. ¹⁰ Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.^{(BM) 11} Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.^[z] Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. ¹² Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. ¹³ Greet Rufus,^(BN) chosen in the Lord; also his mother—and mine. ¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. ¹⁵ Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.^{(BO) 16} Greet one another with a holy kiss.^(BP) All the churches of Christ send you greetings.

Warning against Divisive People

¹⁷ Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned.^(BQ) Avoid them,^{(BR) 18} because such people do not serve our Lord Christ^(BS) but their own appetites.^[aa](BT) They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.^(BU)

Paul’s Gracious Conclusion

¹⁹ The report of your obedience has reached everyone.^(BV) Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil.^{(BW) 20} The God of peace^(BX) will soon crush Satan^(BY) under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.^(BZ)

²¹ Timothy,^(CA) my coworker, and Lucius,^(CB) Jason,^(CC) and Sosipater,^(CD) my fellow countrymen, greet you.

²² I, Tertius, who wrote this letter,^(CE) greet you in the Lord.^[ab]

²³ Gaius,^(CF) who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus,^(CG) the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.^[ac]

Glory to God

²⁵ Now to him who is able to strengthen you^(CH) according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ,^(CI) according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent^(CJ) for long ages^{(CK) 26} but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures,^(CL) according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith^(CM) among all the Gentiles— ²⁷ to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to him be the glory forever!^[ad](CN) Amen.

⁹ For the entire fullness^(A) of God’s nature dwells bodily^[a] in Christ,

Prologue: Our Declaration

1 What was from the beginning,^(A) what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word^(B) of life—

The Nativity of the Messiah

¹⁸ The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged^[a] to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit.^(A)