Unbelief and Its Consequences

¹⁸ For ^(A)the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who ^(B)suppress the truth ^[a]in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because ^(C)that which is known about God is evident ^[b]within them; for God made it evident to them. ²⁰ For ^(D)since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ^(E)being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. ²¹ For even though they knew God, they did not ^[c]honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became ^(F)futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. ^22 (G)Claiming to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and they ^(H)exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and ^[d]crawling creatures.

²⁴ Therefore ^(I)God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be ^(J)dishonored among them. ²⁵ For they exchanged the truth of God for ^[e](K)falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, ^(L)who is blessed ^[f]forever. Amen.

¹⁰ as it is written:

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the ^(A)Law says, it speaks to ^(B)those who are ^[a]under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and ^(C)all the world may become accountable to God; ²⁰ because ^(D)by the works ^[b]of the Law ^[c]none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for ^[d](E)through the Law comes ^[e]knowledge of sin.

Justification by Faith

²¹ But now apart ^[f]from the Law ^(F)the righteousness of God has been revealed, being ^(G)witnessed by the ^[g]Law and the Prophets, ²² but it is the ^(H)righteousness of God through ^(I)faith ^(J)in Jesus Christ for ^(K)all those ^[h]who believe; for ^(L)there is no distinction, ²³ for all ^[i](M)have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified as a gift ^(N)by His grace through ^(O)the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God displayed publicly as ^(P)a ^[j]propitiation ^[k](Q)in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, ^[l]because in God’s merciful ^(R)restraint He ^(S)let the sins previously committed go unpunished; ²⁶ for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who ^[m]has faith in Jesus.

¹³ for “^(A)Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

¹⁴ How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him ^(B)whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without ^(C)a preacher? ¹⁵ But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: “^(D)How beautiful are the feet of those who ^[a](E)bring good news of good things!”

²¹ but just as it is written:

²² For this reason ^(B)I have often been prevented from coming to you; ²³ but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I ^(C)have had for many years a longing to come to you ²⁴ whenever I ^(D)go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be ^(E)helped on my way there by you, when I have first ^(F)enjoyed your company ^[a]for a while— ²⁵ but now, ^(G)I am going to Jerusalem, ^(H)serving the ^[b]saints.