Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle(A) and set apart(B) for the gospel of God(C) the gospel he promised beforehand(D) through his prophets(E) in the Holy Scriptures(F) regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a](G) was a descendant of David,(H) 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) 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. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.(O)

To all in Rome who are loved by God(P) and called to be his holy people:(Q)

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.(R)

Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you,(S) because your faith is being reported all over the world.(T) God, whom I serve(U) in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness(V) how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times;(W) and I pray that now at last by God’s will(X) the way may be opened for me to come to you.(Y)

11 I long to see you(Z) so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift(AA) 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,(AB) brothers and sisters,[d](AC) that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now)(AD) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

14 I am obligated(AE) 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.(AF)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel,(AG) because it is the power of God(AH) that brings salvation to everyone who believes:(AI) first to the Jew,(AJ) then to the Gentile.(AK) 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed(AL)—a righteousness that is by faith(AM) from first to last,[e] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”[f](AN)

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

18 The wrath of God(AO) 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.(AP) 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,(AQ) so that people are without excuse.(AR)

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.(AS) 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools(AT) 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images(AU) made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over(AV) in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.(AW) 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie,(AX) and worshiped and served created things(AY) rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.(AZ) Amen.(BA)

26 Because of this, God gave them over(BB) to shameful lusts.(BC) Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.(BD) 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.(BE)

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over(BF) to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,(BG) 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;(BH) 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love,(BI) no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death,(BJ) they not only continue to do these very things but also approve(BK) of those who practice them.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 1:3 Or who according to the flesh
  2. Romans 1:4 Or was declared with power to be the Son of God
  3. Romans 1:5 Or that is
  4. Romans 1:13 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 7:1, 4; 8:12, 29; 10:1; 11:25; 12:1; 15:14, 30; 16:14, 17.
  5. Romans 1:17 Or is from faith to faith
  6. Romans 1:17 Hab. 2:4

Greetings from Paul

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be[a] the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.[b] He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege[c] and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

God’s Good News

Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart[d] by spreading the Good News about his Son.

10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. 11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. 12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

13 I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters,[e] that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. 14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world,[f] to the educated and uneducated alike. 15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.[g] 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”[h]

God’s Anger at Sin

18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.[i] 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

Footnotes

  1. 1:4a Or and was designated.
  2. 1:4b Or by the Spirit of holiness; or in the new realm of the Spirit.
  3. 1:5 Or the grace.
  4. 1:9 Or in my spirit.
  5. 1:13 Greek brothers.
  6. 1:14 Greek to Greeks and barbarians.
  7. 1:16 Greek also the Greek.
  8. 1:17 Or “The righteous will live by faith.” Hab 2:4.
  9. 1:18 Or who, by their wickedness, prevent the truth from being known.

The Gospel Exalted

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, [a](A)called as an apostle, (B)set apart for (C)the gospel of God, which He (D)promised beforehand through His (E)prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born (F)of a [b]descendant of David (G)according to the flesh, who was declared (H)the Son of God with power according to the [c]Spirit of holiness [d]by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and (I)apostleship [e]to bring about the (J)obedience of faith among (K)all the Gentiles in behalf of His name, among whom you also are the (L)called of Jesus Christ;

to all who are (M)beloved of God in Rome, called as [f](N)saints: (O)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, (P)I thank my God through Jesus Christ [g]for you all, because (Q)your faith is being proclaimed throughout the world. For (R)God, whom I (S)serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly (T)I make mention of you, 10 always in my prayers requesting if perhaps now, at last by (U)the will of God, I will succeed in coming to you. 11 For (V)I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be [h]established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 (W)I do not want you to be unaware, (X)brothers and sisters, that often I (Y)have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some (Z)fruit among you also just as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 (AA)I am [i]under obligation both to Greeks and to the [j](AB)uncultured, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, for my part, I am eager to (AC)preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

16 For I am not (AD)ashamed of the gospel, for (AE)it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the (AF)Jew first and also to (AG)the Greek. 17 For in it (AH)the righteousness of God is revealed [k]from faith to faith; as it is written: “[l](AI)But the righteous one will live by faith.”

Unbelief and Its Consequences

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

24 Therefore (AR)God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be (AS)dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for [q](AT)falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, (AU)who is blessed [r]forever. Amen.

26 For this reason (AV)God gave them over to (AW)degrading passions; for their women exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature, 27 and likewise the men, too, abandoned natural relations [s]with women and burned in their desire toward one another, (AX)males with males committing [t]shameful acts and receiving in [u]their own persons the due penalty of their error.

28 And just as they did not see fit [v]to acknowledge God, (AY)God gave them up to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper, 29 people having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice; they are (AZ)gossips, 30 slanderers, [w](BA)haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, (BB)disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, (BC)unfeeling, and unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of (BD)death, they not only do the same, but also (BE)approve of those who practice them.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 1:1 Lit a called apostle
  2. Romans 1:3 Lit seed
  3. Romans 1:4 Or spirit
  4. Romans 1:4 Or as a result of
  5. Romans 1:5 Lit for obedience
  6. Romans 1:7 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  7. Romans 1:8 Or concerning you all, that...
  8. Romans 1:11 Or strengthened
  9. Romans 1:14 Lit debtor
  10. Romans 1:14 I.e., non-Hellenes
  11. Romans 1:17 Or by
  12. Romans 1:17 Or But the one who is righteous by faith shall live
  13. Romans 1:18 Or by
  14. Romans 1:19 Or among
  15. Romans 1:21 Lit glorify
  16. Romans 1:23 Or reptiles
  17. Romans 1:25 Lit the lie
  18. Romans 1:25 Lit unto the ages
  19. Romans 1:27 Lit of the female
  20. Romans 1:27 Lit shamelessness
  21. Romans 1:27 Lit themselves
  22. Romans 1:28 Lit to have God in knowledge
  23. Romans 1:30 Or hateful to God

Saludo

Pablo, siervo de Cristo Jesús, llamado a ser apóstol[a](A), apartado(B) para el evangelio de Dios(C), que Él ya había prometido(D) por medio de sus profetas en las santas Escrituras(E), acerca de su Hijo, que nació de la descendencia[b] de David(F) según la carne(G), y que fue declarado Hijo de Dios(H) con[c] poder, conforme al Espíritu[d] de santidad, por[e] la resurrección de entre los muertos: nuestro Señor Jesucristo, por medio de quien hemos recibido la gracia y el apostolado(I) para promover la obediencia a la fe entre todos los gentiles(J), por amor a su nombre; entre los cuales estáis también vosotros, llamados de Jesucristo(K); a todos los amados de Dios(L) que están en Roma, llamados a ser santos(M): Gracia a vosotros y paz de parte de Dios nuestro Padre y del Señor Jesucristo(N).

Deseos de Pablo de visitar a Roma

En primer lugar, doy gracias a mi Dios por medio de Jesucristo por todos vosotros(O), porque por todo el mundo se habla de vuestra fe[f](P). Pues Dios, a quien sirvo en mi espíritu en la predicación del evangelio de su Hijo, me es testigo(Q) de cómo sin cesar hago mención de vosotros(R) 10 siempre en mis oraciones, implorando que[g] ahora, al fin, por la voluntad de Dios, logre ir a vosotros(S). 11 Porque anhelo veros(T) para impartiros algún don espiritual, a fin de que seáis confirmados; 12 es decir, para que cuando esté entre vosotros nos confortemos mutuamente, cada uno por la fe del otro, tanto la vuestra como la mía. 13 Y no quiero que ignoréis, hermanos(U), que con frecuencia he hecho planes para ir a visitaros[h] (y hasta ahora me he visto impedido(V)) a fin de obtener algún fruto(W) también entre vosotros, así como entre los demás gentiles. 14 Tengo obligación[i](X) tanto para con los griegos como para con los bárbaros[j](Y), para con los sabios como para con los ignorantes. 15 Así que, por mi parte, ansioso estoy de anunciar el evangelio(Z) también a vosotros que estáis en Roma.

Una definición del evangelio

16 Porque no me avergüenzo del evangelio(AA), pues es el poder de Dios para la salvación de todo el que cree(AB); del judío primeramente(AC) y también del griego(AD). 17 Porque en el evangelio[k] la justicia de Dios se revela por[l] fe y para fe(AE); como está escrito: Mas el justo por la fe vivirá[m](AF).

El hombre ha ignorado a Dios

18 Porque la ira de Dios se revela desde el cielo contra toda impiedad e injusticia de los hombres(AG), que con[n] injusticia restringen(AH) la verdad; 19 porque lo que se conoce acerca de Dios es evidente dentro de[o] ellos, pues Dios se lo hizo evidente(AI). 20 Porque desde la creación del mundo(AJ), sus atributos invisibles, su eterno poder y divinidad, se han visto con toda claridad, siendo entendidos por medio de lo creado, de manera que no tienen excusa(AK). 21 Pues aunque conocían a Dios, no le honraron[p] como a Dios ni le dieron gracias, sino que se hicieron vanos en sus razonamientos y su necio corazón fue entenebrecido(AL). 22 Profesando ser sabios, se volvieron necios(AM), 23 y cambiaron la gloria del Dios incorruptible por una imagen en forma de hombre corruptible, de aves, de cuadrúpedos y de reptiles(AN).

Consecuencias de la corrupción del hombre

24 Por consiguiente, Dios los entregó a la impureza(AO) en la lujuria[q] de sus corazones, de modo que deshonraron entre sí sus propios cuerpos(AP); 25 porque[r] cambiaron la verdad de Dios por la mentira, y adoraron y sirvieron a la criatura en lugar del Creador(AQ), quien es bendito por los siglos(AR). Amén.

26 Por esta razón Dios los entregó a pasiones degradantes(AS); porque sus mujeres cambiaron la función natural[s] por la que es contra la naturaleza; 27 y de la misma manera también los hombres, abandonando el uso natural de la mujer, se encendieron en su lujuria unos con otros, cometiendo hechos vergonzosos[t] hombres con hombres, y recibiendo en sí mismos el castigo correspondiente a su extravío(AT).

28 Y como ellos no tuvieron a bien reconocer a Dios[u], Dios los entregó a una mente depravada(AU), para que hicieran las cosas que no convienen; 29 estando llenos de toda injusticia, maldad, avaricia y malicia; colmados de envidia, homicidios, pleitos, engaños y malignidad; son chismosos(AV), 30 detractores, aborrecedores(AW) de Dios, insolentes, soberbios, jactanciosos, inventores de lo malo, desobedientes a los padres(AX), 31 sin entendimiento, indignos de confianza[v], sin amor(AY), despiadados; 32 los cuales, aunque conocen el decreto de Dios que los que practican tales cosas son dignos de muerte(AZ), no solo las hacen, sino que también dan su aprobación a los que las practican(BA).

Footnotes

  1. Romanos 1:1 Lit., un apóstol llamado
  2. Romanos 1:3 Lit., simiente
  3. Romanos 1:4 O, en un acto de
  4. Romanos 1:4 O, espíritu
  5. Romanos 1:4 O, como resultado de
  6. Romanos 1:8 O, vuestra fe es proclamada
  7. Romanos 1:10 Lit., si quizá
  8. Romanos 1:13 Lit., ir a vosotros
  9. Romanos 1:14 Lit., Soy deudor
  10. Romanos 1:14 I.e., los que no eran griegos, ni por nacimiento, ni por cultura
  11. Romanos 1:17 Lit., él
  12. Romanos 1:17 O, de
  13. Romanos 1:17 O, Mas el que es justo por la fe vivirá
  14. Romanos 1:18 O, por
  15. Romanos 1:19 O, entre
  16. Romanos 1:21 Lit., no le glorificaron
  17. Romanos 1:24 O, incontinencia
  18. Romanos 1:25 Lit., los cuales
  19. Romanos 1:26 I.e., relaciones sexuales normales
  20. Romanos 1:27 Lit., lo vergonzoso
  21. Romanos 1:28 Lit., tener a Dios en conocimiento
  22. Romanos 1:31 O, desleales