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Romans 3
New International Version

God’s Faithfulness

3 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way!(A) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.(B)

3 What if some were unfaithful?(C) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?(D) 4 Not at all! Let God be true,(E) and every human being a liar.(F) As it is written:

“So that you may be proved right when you speak
    and prevail when you judge.”[a](G)

5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,(H) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)(I) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?(J) 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory,(K) why am I still condemned as a sinner?”(L) 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”?(M) Their condemnation is just!

No One Is Righteous

9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage?(N) Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.(O) 10 As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11     there is no one who understands;
    there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
    they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
    not even one.”[b](P)
13 “Their throats are open graves;
    their tongues practice deceit.”[c](Q)
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”[d](R)
14     “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[e](S)
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16     ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know.”[f](T)
18     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[g](U)

19 Now we know that whatever the law says,(V) it says to those who are under the law,(W) so that every mouth may be silenced(X) and the whole world held accountable to God.(Y) 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;(Z) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.(AA)

Righteousness Through Faith

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God(AB) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.(AC) 22 This righteousness(AD) is given through faith(AE) in[h] Jesus Christ(AF) to all who believe.(AG) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,(AH) 23 for all have sinned(AI) and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified(AJ) freely by his grace(AK) through the redemption(AL) that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i](AM) through the shedding of his blood(AN)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished(AO)— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

27 Where, then, is boasting?(AP) It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.(AQ) 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,(AR) 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.(AS) 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:4
  2. Romans 3:12 Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20
  3. Romans 3:13 Psalm 5:9
  4. Romans 3:13 Psalm 140:3
  5. Romans 3:14 Psalm 10:7 (see Septuagint)
  6. Romans 3:17 Isaiah 59:7,8
  7. Romans 3:18 Psalm 36:1
  8. Romans 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of
  9. Romans 3:25 The Greek for sacrifice of atonement refers to the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant (see Lev. 16:15,16).
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Romanos 3
Nueva Biblia de las Américas

¿Qué ventaja tiene el judío?

3 ¿Cuál es, entonces, la ventaja del judío? ¿O cuál el beneficio de la circuncisión? 2 Grande, en todo sentido. En primer lugar, porque a ellos les han sido confiados los oráculos[a] de Dios(A). 3 Entonces ¿qué? Si algunos fueron infieles[b](B), ¿acaso su infidelidad[c] anulará la fidelidad de Dios? 4 ¡De ningún modo(C)! Antes bien, sea hallado Dios veraz, aunque todo hombre sea hallado mentiroso(D); como está escrito:

«Para que seas justificado en Tus palabras,
Y venzas cuando seas juzgado[d](E)».

5 Pero si nuestra injusticia hace resaltar la justicia de Dios(F), ¿qué diremos(G)? ¿Acaso es injusto el Dios que expresa[e] Su ira? Hablo en términos humanos(H). 6 ¡De ningún modo(I)! Pues de otra manera, ¿cómo juzgaría Dios al mundo(J)?

7 Pero si por mi mentira la verdad de Dios(K) abundó para Su gloria, ¿por qué también soy yo aún juzgado como pecador(L)? 8 ¿Y por qué no decir, como se nos calumnia, y como algunos afirman que nosotros decimos: Hagamos el mal para que venga el bien(M)? La condenación de los tales es justa.

Todos han pecado

9 ¿Entonces qué? ¿Somos nosotros mejores[f] que ellos(N)? ¡De ninguna manera! Porque ya hemos denunciado que tanto judíos como griegos están todos bajo pecado(O). 10 Como está escrito:

«(P)No hay justo, ni aun uno;
11 No hay quien entienda,
No hay quien busque a Dios.
12 -»Todos se han desviado, a una se hicieron inútiles;
No hay quien haga lo bueno,
No hay ni siquiera uno.
13 -»Sepulcro abierto es su garganta,
Engañan de continuo con su lengua(Q).
Veneno de serpientes[g] hay bajo sus labios(R);
14 Llena está su boca de maldición y amargura(S).
15 -»(T)Sus pies son veloces para derramar sangre.
16 -»Destrucción y miseria hay en sus caminos,
17 Y la senda de paz no han conocido.
18 -»No hay temor de Dios delante de sus ojos(U)».

Justificación por medio de la fe

19 Ahora bien, sabemos que cuanto dice la ley(V), lo dice a los que están bajo[h] la ley(W), para que toda boca se calle[i] y todo el mundo sea hecho responsable ante Dios(X). 20 Porque por las obras de la ley[j] ningún ser humano[k] será justificado delante de Él(Y); pues por medio de la ley[l] viene el conocimiento del pecado(Z).

21 Pero ahora, aparte de la ley[m], la justicia de Dios ha sido manifestada(AA), confirmada por la ley y los profetas(AB). 22 Esta justicia de Dios por medio de la fe(AC) en Jesucristo es para todos los que creen(AD). Porque no hay distinción(AE), 23 por cuanto todos pecaron[n](AF) y no alcanzan la gloria de Dios.

24 Todos son justificados gratuitamente por Su gracia por medio de la redención que es en Cristo Jesús(AG), 25 a quien Dios exhibió públicamente como propiciación[o](AH) por Su sangre(AI) a través de la fe, como demostración de Su justicia, porque en Su tolerancia, Dios(AJ) pasó por alto los pecados cometidos anteriormente[p](AK), 26 para demostrar[q] en este tiempo Su justicia, a fin de que Él sea justo y sea el que justifica al que tiene fe en Jesús[r].

27 ¿Dónde está, pues, la jactancia(AL)? Queda excluida. ¿Por cuál ley? ¿La de las obras(AM)? No, sino por la ley de la fe. 28 Porque[s] concluimos que el hombre es justificado por la fe aparte de las obras de la ley[t](AN).

29 ¿O es Dios el Dios de los judíos solamente? ¿No es también el Dios de los gentiles? Sí, también de los gentiles(AO), 30 porque en verdad Dios es uno(AP), el cual justificará en virtud de la fe a los circuncisos[u](AQ) y por medio de la fe a los incircuncisos[v](AR).

31 ¿Anulamos entonces la ley por medio de la fe? ¡De ningún modo(AS)! Al contrario, confirmamos la ley(AT).

Footnotes

  1. 3:2 O las palabras.
  2. 3:3 O incrédulos.
  3. 3:3 O incredulidad.
  4. 3:4 O entres en juicio.
  5. 3:5 O inflige.
  6. 3:9 O posiblemente, peores.
  7. 3:13 Lit. áspides.
  8. 3:19 Lit. en.
  9. 3:19 Lit. cierre.
  10. 3:20 O de ley.
  11. 3:20 Lit. ninguna carne.
  12. 3:20 O por medio de ley.
  13. 3:21 O de ley.
  14. 3:23 O han pecado.
  15. 3:25 O sacrificio propiciatorio.
  16. 3:25 Lit. por causa de haber pasado por alto, en la paciencia de Dios, los pecados previamente cometidos.
  17. 3:26 Lit. demostración.
  18. 3:26 Lit. es de la fe de Jesús.
  19. 3:28 Algunos mss. antiguos dicen: Por tanto.
  20. 3:28 Lit. O de ley.
  21. 3:30 Lit. la circuncisión.
  22. 3:30 Lit. la incircuncisión.
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Romans 3
New King James Version

God’s Judgment Defended

3 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because (A)to them were committed the [a]oracles of God. 3 For what if (B)some did not believe? (C)Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 (D)Certainly not! Indeed, let (E)God be [b]true but (F)every man a liar. As it is written:

(G)“That You may be justified in Your words,
And may overcome when You are judged.”

5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (H)(I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then (I)how will God judge the world?

7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, (J)“Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their [c]condemnation is just.

All Have Sinned(K)

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that (L)they are all under sin.

10 As it is written:

(M)“There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
13 “Their(N) throat is an open [d]tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;
(O)“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose(P) mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their(Q) feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There(R) is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever (S)the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that (T)every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become [e]guilty before God. 20 Therefore (U)by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

God’s Righteousness Through Faith

21 But now (V)the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, (W)being witnessed by the Law (X)and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [f]and on all who believe. For (Y)there is no difference; 23 for (Z)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [g]freely (AA)by His grace (AB)through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth (AC)as a [h]propitiation (AD)by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over (AE)the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Boasting Excluded

27 (AF)Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude (AG)that a man is [i]justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since (AH)there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:2 sayings, Scriptures
  2. Romans 3:4 Found true
  3. Romans 3:8 Lit. judgment
  4. Romans 3:13 grave
  5. Romans 3:19 accountable
  6. Romans 3:22 NU omits and on all
  7. Romans 3:24 without any cost
  8. Romans 3:25 mercy seat
  9. Romans 3:28 declared righteous
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Romans 3
King James Version

3 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

17 And the way of peace have they not known:

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

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Romans 3
English Standard Version

God's Righteousness Upheld

3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, (A)the Jews were entrusted with (B)the oracles of God. 3 (C)What if some were unfaithful? (D)Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! (E)Let God be true though (F)every one were a liar, as it is written,

(G)“That you may be justified in your words,
    and prevail when you (H)are judged.”

5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict (I)wrath on us? ((J)I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could (K)God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, (L)why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not (M)do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

No One Is Righteous

9 What then? Are we Jews[a] any better off?[b] No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both (N)Jews and (O)Greeks, are (P)under sin, 10 as it is written:

(Q)“None is righteous, no, not one;
11     no one understands;
    no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
    no one does good,
    not even one.”
13 (R)“Their throat is (S)an open grave;
    they use their tongues to deceive.”
(T)“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14     (U)“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 (V)“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16     in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and (W)the way of peace they have not known.”
18     (X)“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever (Y)the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, (Z)so that every mouth may be stopped, and (AA)the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For (AB)by works of the law no human being[c] will be justified in his sight, since (AC)through the law comes knowledge of sin.

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

21 But now (AD)the righteousness of God (AE)has been manifested apart from the law, although (AF)the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God (AG)through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. (AH)For there is no distinction: 23 for (AI)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 (AJ)and are justified (AK)by his grace as a gift, (AL)through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God (AM)put forward as (AN)a propitiation (AO)by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in (AP)his divine forbearance he had passed over (AQ)former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

27 (AR)Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith (AS)apart from works of the law. 29 Or (AT)is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since (AU)God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and (AV)the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:9 Greek Are we
  2. Romans 3:9 Or at any disadvantage?
  3. Romans 3:20 Greek flesh
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