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)