(A)You are altogether beautiful, my love;
    there is no (B)flaw in you.

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You are altogether beautiful,(A) my darling;
    there is no flaw(B) in you.

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Peace with God Through Faith

(A)Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, (B)we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also (C)obtained access by faith[b] into this grace (D)in which we stand, and (E)we[c] rejoice[d] in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we (F)rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering (G)produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and (H)hope does not put us to shame, because God's love (I)has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

For (J)while we were still weak, at the right time (K)Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but (L)God shows his love for us in that (M)while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, (N)we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from (O)the wrath of God. 10 For if (P)while we were enemies (Q)we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by (R)his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received (S)reconciliation.

Death in Adam, Life in Christ

12 Therefore, just as (T)sin came into the world through one man, and (U)death through sin, and (V)so death spread to all men[e] because (W)all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but (X)sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not (Y)like the transgression of Adam, (Z)who was a type of (AA)the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for (AB)many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For (AC)the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought (AD)justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness (AE)reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as one trespass[f] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[g] leads to justification and life for (AF)all men. 19 For as by the one man's (AG)disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's (AH)obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now (AI)the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, (AJ)grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, (AK)as sin reigned in death, (AL)grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
  2. Romans 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
  3. Romans 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
  4. Romans 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11
  5. Romans 5:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women; also twice in verse 18
  6. Romans 5:18 Or the trespass of one
  7. Romans 5:18 Or the act of righteousness of one

Peace and Hope

Therefore, since we have been justified(A) through faith,(B) we[a] have peace(C) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,(D) through whom we have gained access(E) by faith into this grace in which we now stand.(F) And we[b] boast in the hope(G) of the glory of God. Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings,(H) because we know that suffering produces perseverance;(I) perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope(J) does not put us to shame, because God’s love(K) has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,(L) who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time,(M) when we were still powerless,(N) Christ died for the ungodly.(O) Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.(P)

Since we have now been justified(Q) by his blood,(R) how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath(S) through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies,(T) we were reconciled(U) to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!(V) 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.(W)

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,(X) and death through sin,(Y) and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned(Z)

13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.(AA) 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam,(AB) who is a pattern of the one to come.(AC)

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,(AD) how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,(AE) overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death(AF) reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life(AG) through the one man, Jesus Christ!

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,(AH) so also one righteous act resulted in justification(AI) and life(AJ) for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man(AK) the many were made sinners,(AL) so also through the obedience(AM) of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.(AN) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,(AO) 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death,(AP) so also grace(AQ) might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life(AR) through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 5:1 Many manuscripts let us
  2. Romans 5:2 Or let us
  3. Romans 5:3 Or let us

Life in the Spirit

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a] For the law of (A)the Spirit of life (B)has set you[b] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For (C)God has done what the law, (D)weakened by the flesh, (E)could not do. (F)By sending his own Son (G)in the likeness of sinful flesh and (H)for sin,[c] he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that (I)the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, (J)who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For (K)those who live according to the flesh set their minds on (L)the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on (M)the things of the Spirit. For to set (N)the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is (O)hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; (P)indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact (Q)the Spirit of God dwells in you. (R)Anyone who does not have (S)the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of (T)him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus[d] from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies (U)through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Heirs with Christ

12 So then, brothers,[e] we are debtors, (V)not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you (W)put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are (X)led by the Spirit of God are (Y)sons[f] of God. 15 For (Z)you did not receive (AA)the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of (AB)adoption as sons, by whom we cry, (AC)“Abba! Father!” 16 (AD)The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then (AE)heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, (AF)provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Future Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (AG)are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for (AH)the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation (AI)was subjected to futility, not willingly, but (AJ)because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that (AK)the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that (AL)the whole creation (AM)has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have (AN)the firstfruits of the Spirit, (AO)groan inwardly as (AP)we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, (AQ)the redemption of our bodies. 24 For (AR)in this hope we were saved. Now (AS)hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we (AT)wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For (AU)we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but (AV)the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And (AW)he who searches hearts knows what is (AX)the mind of the Spirit, because[g] the Spirit (AY)intercedes for the saints (AZ)according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together (BA)for good,[h] for (BB)those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he (BC)foreknew he also (BD)predestined (BE)to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be (BF)the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also (BG)justified, and those whom he justified he also (BH)glorified.

God's Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? (BI)If God is for us, who can be[i] against us? 32 (BJ)He who did not spare his own Son but (BK)gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? (BL)It is God who justifies. 34 (BM)Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—(BN)who is at the right hand of God, (BO)who indeed is interceding for us.[j] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

(BP)“For your sake (BQ)we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than (BR)conquerors through (BS)him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:1 Some manuscripts add who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit)
  2. Romans 8:2 Some manuscripts me
  3. Romans 8:3 Or and as a sin offering
  4. Romans 8:11 Some manuscripts lack Jesus
  5. Romans 8:12 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 29
  6. Romans 8:14 See discussion on “sons” in the Preface
  7. Romans 8:27 Or that
  8. Romans 8:28 Some manuscripts God works all things together for good, or God works in all things for the good
  9. Romans 8:31 Or who is
  10. Romans 8:34 Or Is it Christ Jesus who died… for us?

Life Through the Spirit

Therefore, there is now no condemnation(A) for those who are in Christ Jesus,(B) because through Christ Jesus(C) the law of the Spirit who gives life(D) has set you[a] free(E) from the law of sin(F) and death. For what the law was powerless(G) to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b](H) God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh(I) to be a sin offering.[c](J) And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement(K) of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.(L)

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;(M) but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.(N) The mind governed by the flesh is death,(O) but the mind governed by the Spirit is life(P) and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God;(Q) it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh(R) cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh(S) but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.(T) And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,(U) they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you,(V) then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead(W) is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies(X) because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.(Y) 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;(Z) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,(AA) you will live.(AB)

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God(AC) are the children of God.(AD) 15 The Spirit(AE) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;(AF) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.”(AG) 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit(AH) that we are God’s children.(AI) 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs(AJ)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings(AK) in order that we may also share in his glory.(AL)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.(AM) 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God(AN) to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,(AO) in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay(AP) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.(AQ)

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning(AR) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,(AS) groan(AT) inwardly as we wait eagerly(AU) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.(AV) 24 For in this hope we were saved.(AW) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.(AX) Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.(AY)

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit(AZ) himself intercedes for us(BA) through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts(BB) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes(BC) for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good(BD) of those who love him, who[i] have been called(BE) according to his purpose.(BF) 29 For those God foreknew(BG) he also predestined(BH) to be conformed to the image of his Son,(BI) that he might be the firstborn(BJ) among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined,(BK) he also called;(BL) those he called, he also justified;(BM) those he justified, he also glorified.(BN)

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things?(BO) If God is for us,(BP) who can be against us?(BQ) 32 He who did not spare his own Son,(BR) but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge(BS) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns?(BT) No one. Christ Jesus who died(BU)—more than that, who was raised to life(BV)—is at the right hand of God(BW) and is also interceding for us.(BX) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?(BY) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?(BZ) 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j](CA)

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors(CB) through him who loved us.(CC) 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future,(CD) nor any powers,(CE) 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God(CF) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(CG)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:2 The Greek is singular; some manuscripts me
  2. Romans 8:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 4-13.
  3. Romans 8:3 Or flesh, for sin
  4. Romans 8:10 Or you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive
  5. Romans 8:11 Some manuscripts bodies through
  6. Romans 8:15 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
  7. Romans 8:15 Aramaic for father
  8. Romans 8:21 Or subjected it in hope. 21 For
  9. Romans 8:28 Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who
  10. Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:22
  11. Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers

17 (A)The Lord your God is in your midst,
    (B)a mighty one who will save;
(C)he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

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17 The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.(A)
He will take great delight(B) in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,(C)
    but will rejoice over you with singing.”(D)

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But[a] God, being (A)rich in mercy, (B)because of the great love with which he loved us, even (C)when we were dead in our trespasses, (D)made us alive together with Christ—(E)by grace you have been saved—

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 2:4 Or And

But because of his great love for us,(A) God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions(B)—it is by grace you have been saved.(C)

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(A)Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, (B)casting all your anxieties on him, because (C)he cares for you.

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Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.(A) Cast all your anxiety on him(B) because he cares for you.(C)

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How Shall We Sing the Lord's Song?

137 By the waters of Babylon,
    there we sat down and wept,
    when we remembered Zion.
On the willows[a] there
    we hung up our lyres.
For there our captors
    required of us songs,
and our tormentors, mirth, saying,
    “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

(A)How shall we sing the Lord's song
    in a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
    (B)let my right hand forget its skill!
Let my (C)tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,
    if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem
    above my highest joy!

Remember, O Lord, against the (D)Edomites
    (E)the day of Jerusalem,
how they said, (F)“Lay it bare, lay it bare,
    down to its foundations!”
O daughter of Babylon, (G)doomed to be destroyed,
    blessed shall he be who (H)repays you
    with what you have done to us!
Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones
    and (I)dashes them against the rock!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 137:2 Or poplars

Psalm 137

By the rivers of Babylon(A) we sat and wept(B)
    when we remembered Zion.(C)
There on the poplars(D)
    we hung our harps,(E)
for there our captors(F) asked us for songs,
    our tormentors demanded(G) songs of joy;
    they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”(H)

How can we sing the songs of the Lord(I)
    while in a foreign land?
If I forget you,(J) Jerusalem,
    may my right hand forget its skill.
May my tongue cling to the roof(K) of my mouth
    if I do not remember(L) you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem(M)
    my highest joy.

Remember, Lord, what the Edomites(N) did
    on the day Jerusalem fell.(O)
“Tear it down,” they cried,
    “tear it down to its foundations!”(P)
Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,(Q)
    happy is the one who repays you
    according to what you have done to us.
Happy is the one who seizes your infants
    and dashes them(R) against the rocks.

15 But you, O Lord, are a God (A)merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

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15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious(A) God,
    slow to anger,(B) abounding(C) in love and faithfulness.(D)

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