Romans 3:20-26
New Living Translation
20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
Christ Took Our Punishment
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses[a] and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
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- 3:21 Greek in the law.
Romans 3:20-26
Christian Standard Bible
20 For no one will be justified[a] in his sight by the works of the law,(A) because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.(B)
The Righteousness of God through Faith
21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed,(C) attested by the Law and the Prophets.[b](D) 22 The righteousness of God is through faith(E) in Jesus Christ[c](F) to all who believe,(G) since there is no distinction.(H) 23 For all have sinned(I) and fall short of the[d] glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace(J) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.(K) 25 God presented him as the mercy seat[e](L) by his blood,(M) through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God(N) passed over the sins previously committed.(O) 26 God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.
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Romans 3:20-26
New International Version
20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;(A) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.(B)
Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God(C) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.(D) 22 This righteousness(E) is given through faith(F) in[a] Jesus Christ(G) to all who believe.(H) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,(I) 23 for all have sinned(J) and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified(K) freely by his grace(L) through the redemption(M) that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[b](N) through the shedding of his blood(O)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished(P)— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Footnotes
- Romans 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of
- Romans 3:25 The Greek for sacrifice of atonement refers to the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant (see Lev. 16:15,16).
Romans 3:20-26
The Voice
20 Therefore, doing what the law prescribes will not make anyone right in the eyes of God—that’s not its purpose—but the law is capable of exposing the true nature of sin.
21 But now for the good news: God’s restorative justice has entered the world, independent of the law. Both the law and the prophets told us this day would come. 22 This redeeming justice comes through the faithfulness of Jesus,[a] the Anointed One, the Liberating King, who makes salvation a reality for all who believe—without the slightest partiality. 23 You see, all have sinned, and all their futile attempts to reach God in His glory fail. 24 Yet they are now saved and set right by His free gift of grace through the redemption available only in Jesus the Anointed. 25 When God set Him up to be the sacrifice—the seat of mercy where sins are atoned through faith—His blood became the demonstration of God’s own restorative justice. All of this confirms His faithfulness to the promise, for over the course of human history God patiently held back as He dealt with the sins being committed. 26 This expression of God’s restorative justice displays in the present that He is just and righteous and that He makes right those who trust and commit themselves to Jesus.
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- 3:22 Often translated “faith in Jesus”
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The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.