18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

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The Guilt of the Gentile World

18 For God’s wrath(A) is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth,(B)

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18 For [a]the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [b]hinder the truth in unrighteousness;

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 1:18 Or, a wrath
  2. Romans 1:18 Or, hold the truth. Compare 1 Cor. 7:30 (Greek).

18 for revealed is the wrath of God from heaven upon all impiety and unrighteousness of men, holding down the truth in unrighteousness.

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The Guilt of Mankind

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.

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Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

God’s Good News for Rome

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle[a](A) and singled out(B) for God’s good news(C) which He promised long ago(D) through His prophets(E) in the Holy Scriptures— concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David[b](F) according to the flesh(G) and who has been declared to be the powerful(H) Son of God(I) by the resurrection from the dead according to the Spirit of holiness.[c] We have received grace and apostleship(J) through Him to bring about[d] the obedience(K) of faith[e] among all the nations,[f](L) on behalf of His name, including yourselves who also belong to Jesus Christ by calling:(M)

To all who are in Rome, loved by God,(N) called(O) as saints.(P)

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

Paul’s Desire to Visit Rome

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith[g] is being reported in all the world.(Q) For God, whom I serve with my spirit(R) in telling the good news about His Son, is my witness(S) that I constantly mention you,(T) 10 always asking in my prayers that if it is somehow in God’s will, I may now at last succeed in coming to you.(U) 11 For I want very much to see you,(V) so I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, 12 that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

13 Now I want you to know,[h](W) brothers, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now(X)) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry[i] among you,(Y) just as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians,[j](Z) both to the wise and the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the good news(AA) to you also who are in Rome.

The Righteous Will Live by Faith

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel,[k](AB) because it is God’s power for salvation(AC) to everyone who believes, first to the Jew,(AD) and also to the Greek.(AE) 17 For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith,[l](AF) just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.[m](AG)[n]

The Guilt of the Gentile World

18 For God’s wrath(AH) is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth,(AI) 19 since what can be known[o] about God is evident among them,(AJ) because God has shown it to them. 20 For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world,(AK) being understood through what He has made.(AL) As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened.(AM) 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools(AN) 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.(AO)

24 Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts(AP) to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie,(AQ) and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever.(AR) Amen.

From Idolatry to Depravity

26 This is why God delivered them over to degrading passions.(AS) For even their females exchanged natural sexual relations[p] for unnatural ones. 27 The males in the same way also left natural relations[q] with females and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Males committed shameless acts with males(AT) and received in their own persons[r] the appropriate penalty of their error.

28 And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. 29 They are filled with all unrighteousness,[s] evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,(AU) 30 slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful,(AV) inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,(AW) 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving,[t](AX) and unmerciful. 32 Although they know full well God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die[u](AY)—they not only do them, but even applaud[v](AZ) others who practice them.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 1:1 Or Jesus, a called apostle
  2. Romans 1:3 Lit was of the seed of David
  3. Romans 1:4 Or the spirit of holiness, or the Holy Spirit
  4. Romans 1:5 Or Him for; lit Him into
  5. Romans 1:5 Or the obedience that is faith, or the faithful obedience, or the obedience that comes from faith; Rm 16:26
  6. Romans 1:5 Or Gentiles
  7. Romans 1:8 Or because your faith
  8. Romans 1:13 Lit I don’t want you to be unaware
  9. Romans 1:13 Lit have some fruit
  10. Romans 1:14 Or non-Greeks
  11. Romans 1:16 Other mss add of Christ
  12. Romans 1:17 Or revealed out of faith into faith
  13. Romans 1:17 Or The one who is righteous by faith will live
  14. Romans 1:17 Hab 2:4
  15. Romans 1:19 Or what is known
  16. Romans 1:26 Lit natural use
  17. Romans 1:27 Lit natural use
  18. Romans 1:27 Or in themselves
  19. Romans 1:29 Other mss add sexual immorality
  20. Romans 1:31 Other mss add unforgiving
  21. Romans 1:32 Lit things are worthy of death
  22. Romans 1:32 Lit even take pleasure in

Paul, a [a]servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the [b]gospel of God, which he promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, who was [c]declared to be the Son of God [d]with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection [e]from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience [f]of faith among all the [g]nations, for his name’s sake; among whom are ye also, called to be Jesus Christ’s: to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, [h]that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the [i]gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers 10 making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered [j]by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 that is, that I with you may be comforted [k]in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit [l]in you also, even as [m]in the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to [n]preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome.

16 For I am not ashamed of the [o]gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, [p]But the righteous shall live [q]by faith.

18 For [r]the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [s]hinder the truth in unrighteousness; 19 because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; [t]that they may be without excuse: 21 because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: 25 for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed [u]for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto [v]vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due.

28 And even as they [w]refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 backbiters, [x]hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful: 32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 1:1 Greek bondservant.
  2. Romans 1:1 Greek good tidings: and so elsewhere. See marginal note on Mt. 4:23.
  3. Romans 1:4 Greek determined.
  4. Romans 1:4 Or, in
  5. Romans 1:4 Or, of the dead
  6. Romans 1:5 Or, to the faith
  7. Romans 1:5 Or, Gentiles
  8. Romans 1:8 Or, because
  9. Romans 1:9 Greek good tidings. See verse 1.
  10. Romans 1:10 Greek in.
  11. Romans 1:12 Or, among
  12. Romans 1:13 Or, among
  13. Romans 1:13 Or, among
  14. Romans 1:15 Greek bring good tidings. Compare 10:15f.
  15. Romans 1:16 Greek good tidings. See verse 1.
  16. Romans 1:17 Hab. 2:4.
  17. Romans 1:17 Greek from.
  18. Romans 1:18 Or, a wrath
  19. Romans 1:18 Or, hold the truth. Compare 1 Cor. 7:30 (Greek).
  20. Romans 1:20 Or, so that they are
  21. Romans 1:25 Greek unto the ages.
  22. Romans 1:26 Greek passions of dishonor.
  23. Romans 1:28 Greek did not approve.
  24. Romans 1:30 Or, haters of God

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, having been separated to the good news of God --

which He announced before through His prophets in holy writings --

concerning His Son, (who is come of the seed of David according to the flesh,

who is marked out Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of sanctification, by the rising again from the dead,) Jesus Christ our Lord;

through whom we did receive grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, in behalf of his name;

among whom are also ye, the called of Jesus Christ;

to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints; Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ!

first, indeed, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed in the whole world;

for God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the good news of His Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you,

10 always in my prayers beseeching, if by any means now at length I shall have a prosperous journey, by the will of God, to come unto you,

11 for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that ye may be established;

12 and that is, that I may be comforted together among you, through the faith in one another, both yours and mine.

13 And I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that many times I did purpose to come unto you -- and was hindered till the present time -- that some fruit I might have also among you, even as also among the other nations.

14 Both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to wise and to thoughtless, I am a debtor,

15 so, as much as in me is, I am ready also to you who [are] in Rome to proclaim good news,

16 for I am not ashamed of the good news of the Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to every one who is believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek.

17 For the righteousness of God in it is revealed from faith to faith, according as it hath been written, `And the righteous one by faith shall live,'

18 for revealed is the wrath of God from heaven upon all impiety and unrighteousness of men, holding down the truth in unrighteousness.

19 Because that which is known of God is manifest among them, for God did manifest [it] to them,

20 for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, by the things made being understood, are plainly seen, both His eternal power and Godhead -- to their being inexcusable;

21 because, having known God they did not glorify [Him] as God, nor gave thanks, but were made vain in their reasonings, and their unintelligent heart was darkened,

22 professing to be wise, they were made fools,

23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of fowls, and of quadrupeds, and of reptiles.

24 Wherefore also God did give them up, in the desires of their hearts, to uncleanness, to dishonour their bodies among themselves;

25 who did change the truth of God into a falsehood, and did honour and serve the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed to the ages. Amen.

26 Because of this did God give them up to dishonourable affections, for even their females did change the natural use into that against nature;

27 and in like manner also the males having left the natural use of the female, did burn in their longing toward one another; males with males working shame, and the recompense of their error that was fit, in themselves receiving.

28 And, according as they did not approve of having God in knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mind, to do the things not seemly;

29 having been filled with all unrighteousness, whoredom, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil dispositions; whisperers,

30 evil-speakers, God-haters, insulting, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 unintelligent, faithless, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful;

32 who the righteous judgment of God having known -- that those practising such things are worthy of death -- not only do them, but also have delight with those practising them.

Salutation

Paul, a servant[a] of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;

To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

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

Prayer of Thanksgiving

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, 10 asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I want you to know, brethren, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish: 15 so I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

The Power of the Gospel

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.”[b]

The Guilt of Mankind

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; 21 for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or birds or animals or reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct. 29 They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 1:1 Or slave
  2. Romans 1:17 Or The righteous shall live by faith