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To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.
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God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
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that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
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That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
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For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
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For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
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God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
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since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
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They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
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they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.
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Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
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Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
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For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
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if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
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As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
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The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
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A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.
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No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
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God’s Faithfulness
What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?
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Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”
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But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)
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Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!
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No One Is Righteous
What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.
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As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;
