¹⁹ The truth about God is plain to them. God has made it plain. ²⁰ Ever since the world was created it has been possible to see the qualities of God that are not seen. I’m talking about his eternal power and about the fact that he is God. Those things can be seen in what he has made. So people have no excuse for what they do.

²¹ They knew God. But they didn’t honor him as God. They didn’t thank him. Their thinking became worthless. Their foolish hearts became dark.

²² We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. This happens to all who believe. It is no different for the Jews than for the Gentiles. ²³ Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. ²⁴ The free gift of God’s grace makes us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free. ²⁵ God gave Christ as a sacrifice to pay for sins through the spilling of his blood. So God forgives the sins of those who have faith. God did all this to prove that he does what is right. He is a God of mercy. So he did not punish for their sins the people who lived before Jesus lived.

Peace and Hope

5 We have been made right with God because of our faith. Now we have peace with him because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁹ But you are not ruled by the power of sin. Instead, the Holy Spirit rules over you. This is true if the Spirit of God lives in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ If Christ lives in you, you will live. Though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life. The Spirit does this because you have been made right with God.

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be honest and true. Hate what is evil. Hold on to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another deeply. Honor others more than yourselves. ¹¹ Stay excited about your faith as you serve the Lord. ¹² When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes.

¹⁴ Bless those who hurt you. Bless them, and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Be joyful with those who are joyful. Be sad with those who are sad. ¹⁶ Agree with one another. Don’t be proud. Be willing to be a friend of people who aren’t considered important. Don’t think that you are better than others.

¹⁷ Don’t pay back evil with evil. Be careful to do what everyone thinks is right.

²¹ Don’t let evil overcome you. Overcome evil by doing good.

³⁹ Not even the highest places or the lowest, or anything else in all creation can separate us. Nothing at all can ever separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.

For the director of music. A psalm of David.