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Romans 2:17-3:8
English Standard Version
Romans 2:17-3:8
English Standard Version
17 But if you call yourself a Jew and (A)rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are (B)a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law (C)the embodiment of (D)knowledge and truth— 21 (E)you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you (F)rob temples? 23 You who (G)boast in the law (H)dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, (I)as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed (J)among the Gentiles because of you.”
25 For circumcision indeed is of value (K)if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if (L)a man who is uncircumcised keeps (M)the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded[a] as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically[b] uncircumcised but keeps the law (N)will condemn you who have (O)the written code[c] and circumcision but break the law. 28 For (P)no one is a Jew (Q)who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one (R)inwardly, and (S)circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. (T)His praise is not from man but from God.
God's Righteousness Upheld
3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, (U)the Jews were entrusted with (V)the oracles of God. 3 (W)What if some were unfaithful? (X)Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! (Y)Let God be true though (Z)every one were a liar, as it is written,
5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict (AC)wrath on us? ((AD)I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could (AE)God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, (AF)why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not (AG)do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.
Footnotes
- Romans 2:26 Or counted
- Romans 2:27 Or is by nature
- Romans 2:27 Or the letter
Romans 2:17-3:8
New International Version
Romans 2:17-3:8
New International Version
The Jews and the Law
17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;(A) 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?(B) 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?(C) 23 You who boast in the law,(D) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[a](E)
25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law,(F) but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.(G) 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements,(H) will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?(I) 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you(J) who, even though you have the[b] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,(K) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.(L) 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,(M) by the Spirit,(N) not by the written code.(O) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.(P)
God’s Faithfulness
3 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way!(Q) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.(R)
3 What if some were unfaithful?(S) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?(T) 4 Not at all! Let God be true,(U) and every human being a liar.(V) As it is written:
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,(X) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)(Y) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?(Z) 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory,(AA) why am I still condemned as a sinner?”(AB) 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”?(AC) Their condemnation is just!
Footnotes
- Romans 2:24 Isaiah 52:5 (see Septuagint); Ezek. 36:20,22
- Romans 2:27 Or who, by means of a
- Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:4
Romans 2:17-3:8
King James Version
Romans 2:17-3:8
King James Version
17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
3 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.