God’s Righteous Judgment

You, therefore, have no excuse,(A) you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.(B) Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches(C) of his kindness,(D) forbearance(E) and patience,(F) not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?(G)

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath(H), when his righteous judgment(I) will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a](J) To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor(K) and immortality,(L) he will give eternal life.(M) But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil,(N) there will be wrath and anger.(O) There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil:(P) first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;(Q) 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.(R) 11 For God does not show favoritism.(S)

12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law(T) will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey(U) the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law,(V) they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets(W) through Jesus Christ,(X) as my gospel(Y) declares.

The Jews and the Law

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;(Z) 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?(AA) 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?(AB) 23 You who boast in the law,(AC) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[b](AD)

25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law,(AE) but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.(AF) 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements,(AG) will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?(AH) 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you(AI) who, even though you have the[c] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,(AJ) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.(AK) 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,(AL) by the Spirit,(AM) not by the written code.(AN) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.(AO)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:6 Psalm 62:12; Prov. 24:12
  2. Romans 2:24 Isaiah 52:5 (see Septuagint); Ezek. 36:20,22
  3. Romans 2:27 Or who, by means of a

God’s Judgment of Sin

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.[a] 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

The Jews and the Law

17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. 18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.

21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?[b] 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”[c]

25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.

28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise[d] from God, not from people.

Footnotes

  1. 2:9 Greek also for the Greek; also in 2:10.
  2. 2:22 Greek do you steal from temples?
  3. 2:24 Isa 52:5 (Greek version).
  4. 2:29 Or receives praise.

The Impartiality of God

Therefore you have (A)no excuse, [a]you foolish person, (B)everyone of you who passes judgment; for [b]in that matter in which (C)you judge someone else, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God [c]rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, [d](D)you foolish person who passes judgment on those who practice such things, and yet does them as well, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of (E)the riches of His (F)kindness and [e](G)restraint and (H)patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But [f]because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart (I)you are storing up wrath for yourself (J)on the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, (K)who will repay each person according to his deeds: to those who by (L)perseverance in doing good seek (M)glory, honor, and (N)immortality, He will give (O)eternal life; but to those who are (P)self-serving and (Q)do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, He will give wrath and indignation. There will be (R)tribulation and distress [g]for every soul of mankind who does evil, [h]for the Jew (S)first and also [i]for the Greek, 10 but (T)glory, honor, and peace to everyone who does what is good, to the Jew (U)first and also to the Greek. 11 For (V)there is no partiality with God.

12 For all who have sinned [j](W)without the Law will also perish [k]without the Law, and all who have sinned [l]under the Law will be judged [m]by the Law; 13 for it is (X)not the hearers [n]of the Law who are [o]righteous before God, but the doers [p]of the Law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have [q]the Law [r](Y)instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having [s]the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show (Z)the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, (AA)according to my gospel, (AB)God will judge the secrets of mankind through Christ Jesus.

The Jews under the Law

17 But if you call yourself a [t]Jew and (AC)rely [u]upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and [v](AD)distinguish the things that matter, being instructed from the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to people who are blind, a light to those in darkness, 20 a [w]corrector of the foolish, a teacher of [x]the immature, possessing in the Law (AE)the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth— 21 you, therefore, (AF)who teach someone else, do you not teach yourself? You who [y]preach that one is not to steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one is not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who loathe idols, do you (AG)rob temples? 23 You who (AH)boast [z]in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For “(AI)the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles (AJ)because of you,” just as it is written.

25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you (AK)practice [aa]the Law; but if you are a violator [ab]of the Law, (AL)your circumcision has turned into uncircumcision. 26 (AM)So if (AN)the [ac]uncircumcised man (AO)keeps the requirements of the Law, will his uncircumcision not be regarded as circumcision? 27 And (AP)he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not (AQ)judge you who [ad]though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a violator [ae]of the Law? 28 For (AR)he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But (AS)he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and (AT)circumcision is of the heart, by the (AU)Spirit, not by the letter; (AV)and his praise is not from people, but from God.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:1 Lit O
  2. Romans 2:1 Or when you judge
  3. Romans 2:2 Lit is according to truth against
  4. Romans 2:3 Lit O
  5. Romans 2:4 I.e., from inflicting punishment
  6. Romans 2:5 Or in accordance with
  7. Romans 2:9 Lit upon
  8. Romans 2:9 Lit of the
  9. Romans 2:9 Lit of the
  10. Romans 2:12 Or without law
  11. Romans 2:12 Or without law
  12. Romans 2:12 Or under law
  13. Romans 2:12 Or by law
  14. Romans 2:13 Or of law
  15. Romans 2:13 Or just
  16. Romans 2:13 Or of law
  17. Romans 2:14 Or law
  18. Romans 2:14 Lit by nature
  19. Romans 2:14 Or law
  20. Romans 2:17 Or Judean
  21. Romans 2:17 Or upon law
  22. Romans 2:18 Or approve
  23. Romans 2:20 Or instructor
  24. Romans 2:20 Lit infants
  25. Romans 2:21 Or proclaim
  26. Romans 2:23 Or in law
  27. Romans 2:25 Or law
  28. Romans 2:25 Or of law
  29. Romans 2:26 Lit uncircumcision
  30. Romans 2:27 Lit through the letter
  31. Romans 2:27 Or of law

Con Dios no hay parcialidad

Por lo cual no tienes excusa(A), oh hombre, quienquiera que seas tú que juzgas, pues al juzgar a otro, a ti mismo te condenas, porque tú que juzgas practicas las mismas cosas(B). Y sabemos que el juicio de Dios justamente cae sobre[a] los que practican tales cosas. ¿Y piensas esto, oh hombre, tú que condenas a los que practican tales cosas y haces lo mismo(C), que escaparás al juicio de Dios? ¿O tienes en poco las riquezas(D) de su bondad(E), tolerancia(F) y paciencia(G), ignorando que la bondad de Dios te guía al arrepentimiento(H)? Mas por causa de[b] tu terquedad y de tu corazón no arrepentido, estás acumulando(I) ira para ti en el día de la ira y de la revelación del justo juicio de Dios(J), el cual pagará a cada uno conforme a sus obras(K): a los que por la perseverancia en hacer el bien(L) buscan gloria, honor(M) e inmortalidad(N): vida eterna(O); pero a los que son ambiciosos(P) y no obedecen a la verdad(Q), sino que obedecen a la injusticia: ira e indignación. Habrá tribulación y angustia(R) para[c] toda alma humana que hace lo malo, el judío primeramente(S) y también el griego; 10 pero gloria y honor(T) y paz para todo el que hace lo bueno, al judío primeramente, y también al griego(U). 11 Porque en Dios no hay acepción de personas(V). 12 Pues todos los que han pecado sin la ley[d], sin la ley[e] también perecerán; y todos los que han pecado bajo la ley[f], por la ley[g] serán juzgados(W); 13 porque no son los oidores de la ley los justos ante Dios, sino los que cumplen la ley, esos serán justificados(X). 14 Porque cuando los gentiles, que no tienen la ley[h], cumplen por instinto[i] los dictados de la ley(Y), ellos, no teniendo la ley[j], son una ley para sí mismos, 15 ya que muestran la obra de la ley escrita en sus corazones(Z), su conciencia dando testimonio, y sus pensamientos acusándolos unas veces y otras defendiéndolos, 16 en el día en que, según mi evangelio(AA), Dios juzgará los secretos de los hombres mediante Cristo Jesús(AB).

La ley y el pueblo judío

17 Pero si tú, que llevas el nombre de judío y te apoyas en la ley; que te glorías en Dios(AC), 18 y conoces su voluntad; que apruebas las cosas que son esenciales[k](AD), siendo instruido por la ley, 19 y te confías en que eres guía de los ciegos, luz de los que están en tinieblas, 20 instructor[l] de los necios, maestro de los faltos de madurez[m]; que tienes en la ley la expresión misma del conocimiento y de la verdad(AE); 21 tú, pues, que enseñas a otro, ¿no te enseñas a ti mismo? Tú que predicas[n] que no se debe robar, ¿robas(AF)? 22 Tú que dices que no se debe cometer adulterio, ¿adulteras? Tú que abominas los ídolos, ¿saqueas templos[o](AG)? 23 Tú que te jactas(AH) de la ley, ¿violando la ley deshonras a Dios? 24 Porque el nombre de Dios es blasfemado entre los gentiles(AI) por causa de vosotros(AJ), tal como está escrito. 25 Pues ciertamente la circuncisión es de valor si tú practicas la ley, pero si eres transgresor de la ley(AK), tu circuncisión(AL) se ha vuelto incircuncisión. 26 Por tanto, si el incircunciso[p](AM) cumple los requisitos de la ley(AN), ¿no se considerará su incircuncisión como circuncisión(AO)? 27 Y si el que es físicamente incircunciso guarda la ley, ¿no te juzgará a ti(AP), que aunque tienes[q] la letra de la ley y eres circuncidado[r](AQ), eres transgresor de la ley? 28 Porque no es judío el que lo es exteriormente(AR), ni la circuncisión es la externa, en la carne; 29 sino que es judío el que lo es interiormente, y la circuncisión es la del corazón, por el Espíritu(AS), no por la letra; la alabanza del cual no procede de los hombres, sino de Dios(AT).

Footnotes

  1. Romanos 2:2 Lit., es conforme a la verdad contra
  2. Romanos 2:5 O, de acuerdo con
  3. Romanos 2:9 Lit., sobre
  4. Romanos 2:12 O, sin ley
  5. Romanos 2:12 O, sin ley
  6. Romanos 2:12 O, bajo ley
  7. Romanos 2:12 O, por ley
  8. Romanos 2:14 O, no tienen ley
  9. Romanos 2:14 Lit., hacen por naturaleza
  10. Romanos 2:14 O, no teniendo ley
  11. Romanos 2:18 O, distingues entre cosas que son diferentes
  12. Romanos 2:20 O, corrector
  13. Romanos 2:20 Lit., niños
  14. Romanos 2:21 O, proclamas
  15. Romanos 2:22 O, ¿cometes sacrilegio?
  16. Romanos 2:26 Lit., la incircuncisión
  17. Romanos 2:27 Lit., por medio de
  18. Romanos 2:27 Lit., y la circuncisión