The Gospel of God for Rome

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle^[a](A) and set apart^(B) for the gospel of God^(C)— ² which he promised beforehand^(D) through his prophets^(E) in the Holy Scriptures— ³ concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David^[b](F) according to the flesh^{(G) 4} and was appointed to be the powerful^(H) Son of God^(I) according to the Spirit of holiness^[c] by the resurrection of the dead. ⁵ Through him we have received grace and apostleship^(J) to bring about^[d] the obedience^(K) of faith for the sake of his name among all the Gentiles,^[e](L)

¹³ Now I don’t want you to be unaware,^(A) brothers and sisters, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now^(B)) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry^[a] among you,^(C) just as I have had among the rest of the Gentiles. ¹⁴ I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians,^[b](D) both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ So I am eager to preach the gospel^(E) to you also who are in Rome.

The Righteous Will Live by Faith

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel,^[c](F) because it is the power of God for salvation^(G) to everyone who believes, first to the Jew,^(H) and also to the Greek.^{(I) 17} For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith,^[d](J) just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.^[e][f](K)

Lights in the World

¹² Therefore, my dear friends,^(A) just as you have always obeyed,^(B) so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. ¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling^(C) and arguing,^{(D) 15} so that you may be blameless^(E) and pure,^(F) children of God who are faultless^(G) in a crooked^(H) and perverted^(I) generation,^(J) among whom you shine like stars in the world, ¹⁶ by holding firm to the word^(K) of life. Then I can boast^(L) in the day of Christ^(M) that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. ¹⁷ But even if I am poured out^(N) as a drink offering^(O) on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,^(A) and the time for my departure is close. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ There is reserved for me the crown^(B) of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,^(C) will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.^[a](D)

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument^(A) to take my name to Gentiles,^(B) kings, and Israelites.^{(C) 16} I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”^(D)

¹⁷ Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”^(E)

¹⁸ At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. ¹⁹ And after taking some food, he regained his strength.^(F)

Saul Proclaiming the Messiah

Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time. ²⁰ Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”^(G)

²¹ All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?” ^(H)

²² But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.