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
New King James Version
20 Therefore (A)by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
God’s Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now (B)the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, (C)being witnessed by the Law (D)and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [a]and on all who believe. For (E)there is no difference; 23 for (F)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [b]freely (G)by His grace (H)through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth (I)as a [c]propitiation (J)by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over (K)the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
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- Romans 3:22 NU omits and on all
- Romans 3:24 without any cost
- Romans 3:25 mercy seat
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
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”
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.