Romans 3:9-20
Contemporary English Version
No One Is Good
9 What does all this mean? Does it mean that we Jews are better off[a] than the Gentiles? No, it doesn't! Jews, as well as Gentiles, are ruled by sin, just as I have said. 10 (A) The Scriptures tell us,
“No one is acceptable to God!
11 Not one of them understands
or even searches for God.
12 They have all turned away
and are worthless.
There isn't one person
who does right.
13 (B) Their words are like
an open pit,
and their tongues are good
only for telling lies.
Each word is as deadly
as the fangs of a snake,
14 (C) and they say nothing
but bitter curses.
15 (D) These people quickly
become violent.
16 Wherever they go,
they leave ruin
and destruction.
17 They don't know how
to live in peace.
18 (E) They don't even fear God.”
19 We know that everything in the Law was written for those who are under its power. The Law says these things to stop anyone from making excuses and to let God show that the whole world is guilty. 20 (F) God doesn't accept people simply because they obey the Law. No, indeed! All the Law does is to point out our sin.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 3.9 better off: Or “worse off.”
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