Romans 2
Wycliffe Bible
2 Therefore thou art unexcusable, each man that deemest, for in what thing thou deemest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou doest the same things which thou deemest.
2 And we know, that the doom of God is after truth against them, that do such things.
3 But guessest thou, man, that deemest them that do such things, and thou doest those things [and thou doest them], that thou shalt escape the doom of God?
4 Whether thou despisest the riches of his goodness, and the patience, and the long abiding? Knowest thou not, that the benignity of God leadeth thee to repenting? [Whether despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and patience, and long abiding? Unknowest thou, that the benignity, or good will, of God leadeth thee to penance?]
5 But after thine hardness and unrepentant heart, thou treasurest to thee wrath in the day of wrath [Forsooth after thy hardness and unrepentant heart, thou treasurest to thee wrath into the day of wrath] and of showing of the rightful doom of God,
6 that shall yield to each man after his works;
7 soothly to them that be by patience of good work, glory, and honour, and uncorruption, to them that seek everlasting life;
8 but to them that be of strife, and that assent not to truth, but believe to wickedness, wrath and indignation,
9 tribulation and anguish, into each soul of man that worketh evil, to the Jew first, and to the Greek [of Jew first and of the Greek];
10 but glory, and honour, and peace, to each man that worketh good thing, to the Jew first, and to the Greek.
11 For acception of persons [that is, to put one before another without desert,] is not with God.
12 For whoever have sinned without the law, shall perish without the law; and whoever have sinned in the law, they shall be deemed by the law. [For whoever sin without law, shall perish without law; and whoever in the law sin, shall be deemed by the law.]
13 For the hearers of the law be not just with God, but the doers of the law shall be made just.
14 For when heathen men that have not law, do naturally [do by kind] those things that be of the law, they not having such manner [of] law, be law to themselves,
15 that show the work of the law written in their hearts. For the conscience of them yieldeth to them a witnessing betwixt themselves of thoughts that be accusing or defending, [that show the work of law written in their hearts; the conscience of them yielding to them a witnessing and between themselves of thoughts accusing or also defending,]
16 in the day when God shall deem the privy things of men after my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
17 But if thou art named a Jew [Forsooth if thou art named a Jew], and restest in the law, and hast glory in God,
18 and hast known his will, and thou learned by the law approvest [provest] the more profitable things,
19 and trustest thyself to be a leader of blind men, the light of them that be in darknesses,
20 a teacher of unwise men, a master of young children, that hast the form of knowing [having the form of science, or knowing,] and of truth in the law;
21 what then teachest thou another, and teachest not thyself? Thou that preachest that me shall not steal, stealest? [therefore thou that teachest another, teachest not thyself? Thou that preachest to not steal, stealest?]
22 Thou that teachest that me shall not do lechery, doest lechery? Thou that loathest maumets, doest sacrilege?[a]
23 Thou that hast glory in the law, unhonourest God by breaking of the law? [Thou that gloriest in the law, by breaking of the law unworshippest, or despisest, God?]
24 For the name of God is blasphemed by you among heathen men, as [it] is written. [For the name of God by you is blasphemed among heathen men, as it is written.]
25 For circumcision profiteth, if thou keep the law; but if thou be a trespasser against the law [forsooth if thou be a trespasser of the law], thy circumcision is made prepuce.
26 Therefore if prepuce keep the rightwiseness of the law, whether his prepuce shall not be areckoned [shall not be reckoned] into circumcision?
27 And the prepuce of kind that fulfilleth the law, shall deem thee, that by letter and circumcision art a trespasser against the law. [And the prepuce, which is of the kind, fulfilling the law, shall deem thee, that by letter and circumcision art trespasser of the law.]
28 For he that is in open is not a Jew, neither it is circumcision that is openly in the flesh [neither the circumcision that is in the flesh in open];
29 but he that is a Jew in hid, and the circumcision of heart, in spirit, not by the letter [not in letter], whose praising is not of men, but of God.
Footnotes
- Romans 2:22 Thou that sayest to not do lechery, doest lechery? Thou that loathest idols, or maumets, doest sacrilege?
Romans 2
New Matthew Bible
Paul rebukes the Jews, who as concerning sin are like the heathen; yea, worse than they.
2 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in the same thing that you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge do even the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who commit such things.
3 Do you think, O man, you who judge others who do such things, and yet do even the very same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you think nothing of the riches of his goodness, patience, and longsuffering? And remember not how it is that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
5 But you, after your hard heart that cannot repent, heap together against yourself the treasure of wrath for the day of vengeance, when the righteous judgment of God will be revealed. 6 He will reward every person according to his deeds; 7 that is to say, praise, honour, and immortality to those who continue in doing good and seek eternal life; 8 but to those who are rebellious, and reject the truth, and follow iniquity, will come indignation and wrath – 9 tribulation and anguish upon the soul of every person who does evil: of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile. 10 To everyone who does good will come praise, honour, and peace: to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. 11 For there is no partiality with God. 12 But whoever has sinned without law will perish without law, and as many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
13 For before God they are not righteous who hear the law, but the doers of the law will be justified. 14 For if the Gentiles who have no law do by nature the things contained in the law, then they, having no law, are a law unto themselves. 15 They show the deeds of the law written in their hearts, while their conscience bears witness to them, and also their thoughts, accusing one another or defending, 16 on the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
17 Behold, you are called a Jew, and trust in the law, and put confidence in God, 18 and know his will, and have confirmation of good and bad in that you are instructed by the law. 19 And you believe that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness – 20 an instructor of those who lack wisdom and a teacher of the unlearned, who has the example of that which ought to be known, and of the truth, in the law. 21 But you who teach another, do not teach yourself. You preach that a person should not steal, and yet you steal. 22 You say a person should not commit adultery, and you break wedlock. You abhor images, and rob God of his honour. 23 You boast in the law, and through breaking the law dishonour God. 24 For the name of God is ill spoken of among the Gentiles because of you, as it is written.
25 Circumcision indeed avails, if you keep the law. But if you break the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26 Therefore if the uncircumcised man keeps the righteous things contained in the law, shall his uncircumcision not be counted for circumcision? 27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it keeps the law, condemn you who, being under the letter and circumcision, do transgress the law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is a Jew outwardly. Neither is that thing circumcision which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is hid within, and the circumcision of the heart is the true circumcision, which is in the Spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.
Romans 2
1599 Geneva Bible
2 1 He bringeth all before the judgment seat of God. 12 The excuse the Gentiles might pretend, 14 of ignorance, he taketh quite away. 17 He urgeth the Jews with the written Law, 23 in which they boasted. 27 And so maketh both Jew and Gentile alike.
1 Therefore [a]thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that condemnest: for in that thou condemnest another, thou condemnest thyself: for thou that condemnest, doest the same things.
2 But we [b]know that the judgment of God is according to [c]truth, against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O thou man, that condemnest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 [d]Or despisest thou the riches of his bountifulness, and patience, and long sufferance, not knowing that the bountifulness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But thou, after thine hardness, and heart that cannot repent, (A)[e]heapest up as a treasure unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and of the declaration of the just judgment of God,
6 (B)[f]Who will reward every man according to his works:
7 That is, to them which through patience in well doing, seek [g]glory, and honor, and immortality, everlasting life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and disobey the [h]truth, and obey unrighteousness, shall be [i]indignation and wrath.
9 Tribulation and anguish shall be upon the soul of every man that doeth evil: of the Jew first, and also of the Grecian.
10 But to every man that doeth good, shall be glory, and honor, and peace: to the Jew first, and also to the Grecian.
11 For there is [j]no respect of persons with God.
12 [k]For as many as have sinned without the Law, shall perish also without the Law: and as many as have sinned in the Law, shall be judged by the Law,
13 [l](For the hearers of the Law are not righteous before God: but the doers of the Law shall be [m]justified.
14 [n]For when the Gentiles which have [o]not the Law, do by [p]nature the things contained in the Law, they having not the Law, are a Law unto themselves,
15 Which show the effect of the Law [q]written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness and their thoughts accusing one another, or excusing.)
16 [r]At the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to [s]my Gospel.
17 ¶ [t]Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the Law, and gloriest in God,
18 And knowest his will, and [u][v]triest the things that dissent from it, in that thou art instructed by the Law:
19 And persuadest thyself that thou art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20 An instructor of them which lack discretion, a teacher of the unlearned, which hast the [w]form of knowledge, and of the truth in the [x]law.
21 Thou therefore, which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest, A man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22 Thou that sayest, A man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, committest thou sacrilege?
23 Thou that gloriest in the Law, through breaking the Law, dishonorest thou God?
24 For the Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, (C)as it is written.
25 [y]For circumcision verily is profitable, if thou do the Law: but if thou be a transgressor of the Law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore [z]if the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the Law, shall not his [aa]uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not [ab]uncircumcision which is by nature (if it keep the Law) condemn thee which by the [ac]letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the Law?
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one [ad]outward: neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew which is one within, and the circumcision is of the heart, in the [ae]spirit, not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Footnotes
- Romans 2:1 He convinceth them which would seem to be exempt out of the number of other men, because they reprehend other men’s faults, and saith that they are least of all to be excused, for if they were well and narrowly searched (as God surely doth) they themselves would be found guilty in those things which they reprehend, and punish in others: so that in condemning others they pronounce sentence against themselves.
- Romans 2:2 Paul allegeth no places of Scripture, for he reasoneth generally against all men: but he bringeth such reasons as every man is persuaded of in his mind, so that the devil himself is not able to pluck them clean out.
- Romans 2:2 Considering and judging things aright, and not by any outward show.
- Romans 2:4 A vehement and grievous crying out against them that please themselves, because they see more than others do, and yet are no whit better than others are.
- Romans 2:5 Whilst thou givest thyself to pleasures, thinking to increase thy goods, thou shalt find God’s wrath.
- Romans 2:6 The ground of the former disputation, That both the Jews and Gentiles have together need of righteousness.
- Romans 2:7 Glory which followeth good works, which he layeth not out before us, as though there were any that could attain to salvation by his own strength, but, by laying this condition of salvation before us, which no man can perform, to bring men to Christ, who alone justified the believers, as he himself concludeth, Rom. 2:21-22, following.
- Romans 2:8 By truth, he meaneth that knowledge which we have of nature.
- Romans 2:8 God’s indignation against sinners, which shall quickly be kindled.
- Romans 2:11 God doth not measure men either by their blood, or by their country, either to receive them, or to cast them away.
- Romans 2:12 He applieth that general accusation of mankind particularly both to the Gentiles, and to the Jews.
- Romans 2:13 He preventeth an objection which might be made by the Jews, whom the Law doth not excuse, but condemns, because that not the hearing of the Law, but the keeping of the Law doth justify.
- Romans 2:13 Shall be pronounced just before God’s judgment seat: which is true indeed, if any such could be found that had fulfilled the law: but seeing Abraham was not justified by the Law, but by faith, it followeth that no man can be justified by works.
- Romans 2:14 He preventeth an objection which might be made by the Gentiles, who although they have not the Law of Moses, yet they have no reason whereby they may excuse their wickedness in that they have somewhat written in their hearts instead of a Law, as men that forbid, and punish some things as wicked, and command and commend other some as good.
- Romans 2:14 Not simply, but in comparison of the Jews.
- Romans 2:14 Command honest things, and forbid dishonest.
- Romans 2:15 This knowledge is a natural knowledge.
- Romans 2:16 God deferreth many judgments, which notwithstanding he will execute at their convenient time by Jesus Christ, with a most straight examination, not only of words and deeds, but of thoughts also, be they never so hidden or secret.
- Romans 2:16 As this my doctrine witnesseth, which I am appointed to preach.
- Romans 2:17 He proveth by the testimony of David, and the other Prophets, that God bestowed greatest benefits upon the Jews, in giving them also the Law, but that they are the most unthankful and unkindest of all men.
- Romans 2:18 Canst try and discern what things swerve from God’s will.
- Romans 2:18 Or allowest the things that are excellent.
- Romans 2:20 The way to teach and frame others in the knowledge of the truth.
- Romans 2:20 As though he said, that the Jews under a color of an outward serving of God, challenged all to themselves, when as indeed, they did nothing less than observe the Law.
- Romans 2:25 He precisely preventeth their objection, which set an holiness in circumcision, and the outward observation of the Law: So that he showeth that the outward circumcision, if it be separated from the inward, doth not only not justify, but also condemns them that are indeed circumcised, of whom requireth that, which is signifieth, that is to say, cleanness of the heart and the whole life, according to the commandment of the Law, so that if there be a man uncircumcised according to the flesh, who is circumcised in heart, he is far better and more to be more accounted of, than any Jew that is circumcised according to the flesh only.
- Romans 2:26 This is the figure Metonymy, for, if the uncircumcised.
- Romans 2:26 The state and condition of the uncircumcised.
- Romans 2:27 He which is uncircumcised by nature and blood.
- Romans 2:27 Paul useth oftentimes to set the letter against the Spirit: but in this place, the circumcision which is according to the letter, is the cutting off of the foreskin, but the circumcision of the Spirit, is the circumcision of the heart, that is to say, the spiritual end of the ceremony, is true holiness and righteousness whereby the people of God is known from profane and heathenish men.
- Romans 2:28 By the outward ceremony only.
- Romans 2:29 Whose force is inward, and in the heart.
Romans 2
Authorized (King James) Version
2 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 for there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18 and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19 and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. 25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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