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Romans 11-13
New American Standard Bible

Israel Has Not Been Rejected

11 I say then, God has not (A)rejected His people, has He? [a](B)Far from it! For (C)I too am an Israelite, [b]a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God (D)has not rejected His people whom He (E)foreknew. (F)Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 “Lord, (G)they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what [c]is the divine response to him? “(H)I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time (I)a remnant according to God’s [d]gracious choice. 6 But (J)if it is by grace, it is no longer [e]on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace.

7 What then? What (K)Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but [f]those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were (L)hardened; 8 just as it is written:

“(M)God gave them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes to see not and ears to hear not,
Down to this very day.”

9 And David says,

“(N)May their table become a snare and a trap,
And a stumbling block and a retribution to them.
10 (O)May their eyes be darkened to see not,
And bend their backs continually.”

11 (P)I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? [g](Q)Far from it! But by their wrongdoing (R)salvation has come to the Gentiles, to (S)make them jealous. 12 Now if their wrongdoing proves to be riches for the world, and their failure, riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their [h](T)fulfillment be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Therefore insofar as (U)I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 if somehow I may (V)move (W)my [i]own people to jealousy and (X)save some of them. 15 For if their rejection proves to be the (Y)reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but (Z)life from the dead? 16 If the (AA)first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well.

17 But if some of the (AB)branches were broken off, and (AC)you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the [j]rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that (AD)it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 (AE)You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you (AF)stand by your faith. (AG)Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 See then the kindness and severity of God: to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s (AH)kindness, (AI)if you continue in His kindness; for otherwise you too (AJ)will be cut off. 23 And they also, (AK)if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 For (AL)I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be uninformed of this (AM)mystery—so that you will not be (AN)wise in your own estimation—that a partial (AO)hardening has happened to Israel until the (AP)fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written:

“(AQ)The Deliverer will come from Zion,
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”
27 “(AR)This is [k]My covenant with them,
(AS)When I take away their sins.”

28 In relation to the gospel they are (AT)enemies on your account, but in relation to God’s choice they are beloved (AU)on account of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the (AV)calling of God (AW)are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For (AX)God has shut up all in disobedience, so that He may show mercy to all.

33 Oh, the depth of (AY)the riches, [l]both of the (AZ)wisdom and knowledge of God! (BA)How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For (BB)who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or (BC)who has first given to Him, [m]that it would be paid back to him? 36 For (BD)from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. (BE)To Him be the glory [n]forever. Amen.

Dedicated Service

12 Therefore (BF)I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to (BG)present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, [o]acceptable to God, which is your [p]spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not (BH)be conformed to (BI)this [q]world, but be transformed by the (BJ)renewing of your mind, so that you may [r](BK)prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [s]acceptable and perfect.

3 For through (BL)the grace given to me I say to everyone among you (BM)not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to (BN)each a measure of faith. 4 For (BO)just as we have many parts in one body and all [t]the body’s parts do not have the same function, 5 so we, (BP)who are many, are (BQ)one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. 6 However, since we have gifts that (BR)differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if (BS)prophecy, [u]in proportion to one’s faith; 7 if [v](BT)service, in the act of serving; or the one who (BU)teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or the one who [w](BV)exhorts, in the work of [x]exhortation; the one who gives, with [y](BW)generosity; (BX)the one who [z]is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with (BY)cheerfulness.

9 [aa](BZ)Love must be free of hypocrisy. (CA)Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be (CB)devoted to one another in brotherly love; [ab]give preference to one another (CC)in honor, 11 not lagging behind in diligence, (CD)fervent in spirit, (CE)serving the Lord; 12 (CF)rejoicing in hope, (CG)persevering in tribulation, (CH)devoted to prayer, 13 (CI)contributing to the needs of the [ac]saints, [ad](CJ)practicing hospitality.

14 (CK)Bless those who persecute [ae]you; bless and do not curse. 15 (CL)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 (CM)Be of the same mind toward one another; (CN)do not be [af]haughty in mind, but [ag]associate with the lowly. (CO)Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 (CP)Never repay evil for evil to anyone. [ah](CQ)Respect what is right in the sight of all people. 18 If possible, (CR)so far as it depends on you, (CS)be at peace with all people. 19 (CT)Never take your own revenge, beloved, but [ai]leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “(CU)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “(CV)But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Be Subject to Government

13 Every [aj](CW)person is to be (CX)subject to the governing authorities. For (CY)there is no authority except [ak]from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore [al]whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For (CZ)rulers are not a cause of fear for [am]good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an (DA)avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also (DB)for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 (DC)Pay to all what is due them: (DD)tax to whom tax is due; (DE)custom to whom custom; [an]respect to whom [ao]respect; honor to whom honor.

8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for (DF)the one who loves [ap]his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. 9 For this, “(DG)You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “(DH)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love [aq]does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore (DI)love is the fulfillment of the Law.

11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is (DJ)already the hour for you to (DK)awaken from sleep; for now [ar]salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. 12 (DL)The night is almost gone, and (DM)the day is near. Therefore let’s rid ourselves of (DN)the deeds of darkness and put on (DO)the armor of light. 13 Let’s [as](DP)behave properly as in the day, (DQ)not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But (DR)put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh (DS)in regard to its lusts.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 11:1 Lit May it never happen!
  2. Romans 11:1 Lit of the seed of Abraham
  3. Romans 11:4 Lit says
  4. Romans 11:5 Lit choice of grace
  5. Romans 11:6 Lit out of
  6. Romans 11:7 Lit the election
  7. Romans 11:11 Lit May it never happen!
  8. Romans 11:12 Or fullness
  9. Romans 11:14 Lit flesh
  10. Romans 11:17 Lit root of the fatness
  11. Romans 11:27 Lit the covenant from Me
  12. Romans 11:33 Or and the wisdom
  13. Romans 11:35 Lit and it will be paid back
  14. Romans 11:36 Lit to the ages
  15. Romans 12:1 Or pleasing
  16. Romans 12:1 I.e., in contrast to offering a literal sacrifice
  17. Romans 12:2 Or age
  18. Romans 12:2 Or discover
  19. Romans 12:2 Or pleasing
  20. Romans 12:4 Lit the parts
  21. Romans 12:6 Or in agreement with the faith
  22. Romans 12:7 Or office of service
  23. Romans 12:8 Or encourages
  24. Romans 12:8 Or encouragement
  25. Romans 12:8 Or sincere concern
  26. Romans 12:8 Or provides care
  27. Romans 12:9 Or Love has no
  28. Romans 12:10 Or outdo one another in showing honor
  29. Romans 12:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  30. Romans 12:13 Lit pursuing
  31. Romans 12:14 Two early mss do not contain you
  32. Romans 12:16 Or arrogant
  33. Romans 12:16 Or accommodate yourself to lowly things
  34. Romans 12:17 Lit Take thought for
  35. Romans 12:19 Lit give a place
  36. Romans 13:1 Or soul
  37. Romans 13:1 Lit by
  38. Romans 13:2 Lit the one who
  39. Romans 13:3 Lit good work
  40. Romans 13:7 I.e., for authority; lit fear
  41. Romans 13:7 I.e., for authority; lit fear
  42. Romans 13:8 Lit the other
  43. Romans 13:10 Lit works no evil
  44. Romans 13:11 Or our salvation is nearer than when
  45. Romans 13:13 Lit walk
Close NLT

Romans 11-13
New Living Translation

God’s Mercy on Israel

11 I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”[a]

4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”[b]

5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel[c] have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8 As the Scriptures say,

“God has put them into a deep sleep.
To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see,
    and closed their ears so they do not hear.”[d]

9 Likewise, David said,

“Let their bountiful table become a snare,
    a trap that makes them think all is well.
Let their blessings cause them to stumble,
    and let them get what they deserve.
10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,
    and let their backs be bent forever.”[e]

11 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. 12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.

13 I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, 14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. 15 For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! 16 And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.

17 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.

19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” 20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. 21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t[f] spare you either.

22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. 23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. 24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.

God’s Mercy Is for Everyone

25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters,[g] so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,

“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,[h]
    and he will turn Israel[i] away from ungodliness.
27 And this is my covenant with them,
    that I will take away their sins.”[j]

28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. 30 Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. 31 Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share[k] in God’s mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.

33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
    Who knows enough to give him advice?[l]
35 And who has given him so much
    that he needs to pay it back?[m]

36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

A Living Sacrifice to God

12 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[n] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[o] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

3 Because of the privilege and authority[p] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[q] 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[r] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[s] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,”[t]
    says the Lord.

20 Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
    burning coals of shame on their heads.”[u]

21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Respect for Authority

13 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Love Fulfills God’s Requirements

8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.”[v] These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[w] 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Footnotes

  1. 11:3 1 Kgs 19:10, 14.
  2. 11:4 1 Kgs 19:18.
  3. 11:5 Greek for a remnant.
  4. 11:8 Isa 29:10; Deut 29:4.
  5. 11:9-10 Ps 69:22-23 (Greek version).
  6. 11:21 Some manuscripts read perhaps he won’t.
  7. 11:25 Greek brothers.
  8. 11:26a Greek from Zion.
  9. 11:26b Greek Jacob.
  10. 11:26-27 Isa 59:20-21; 27:9 (Greek version).
  11. 11:31 Other manuscripts read will now share; still others read will someday share.
  12. 11:34 Isa 40:13 (Greek version).
  13. 11:35 See Job 41:11.
  14. 12:1a Greek brothers.
  15. 12:1b Or This is your spiritual worship; or This is your reasonable service.
  16. 12:3a Or Because of the grace; compare 1:5.
  17. 12:3b Or by the faith God has given you; or by the standard of our God-given faith.
  18. 12:10 Greek with brotherly love.
  19. 12:11 Or but serve the Lord with a zealous spirit; or but let the Spirit excite you as you serve the Lord.
  20. 12:19 Deut 32:35.
  21. 12:20 Prov 25:21-22.
  22. 13:9a Exod 20:13-15, 17.
  23. 13:9b Lev 19:18.
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