in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)

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.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

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, who is a pattern of the one to come.

What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.

So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience,

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

The Day Is Near

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.