Bible in 90 Days
Paul’s Ministry in Rome
17 And it happened that after three days [a]Paul called together those who were (A)the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “(B)Brothers, (C)though I had done nothing against our people or (D)the customs of our [b]fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 And when they had (E)examined me, they (F)were willing to release me because there was (G)no ground [c]for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews [d]objected, I was forced to (H)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I [e]requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing (I)this chain for (J)the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 And they said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of (K)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this (L)sect, it is known to us that (M)it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 And when they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at (N)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly (O)bearing witness about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, (P)from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 (Q)And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others were not believing. 25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying,
‘(R)Go to this people and say,
“[f](S)You will keep on hearing, [g]but will not understand;
And [h]you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
27 (T)For the heart of this people has become dull,
And with their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes;
Lest they might see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I heal them.”’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that (U)this salvation of God was sent (V)to the Gentiles—they will also hear.” 29 [i][When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]
30 And he stayed two full years [j]in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 [k](W)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ (X)with all confidence, unhindered.
The Gospel Exalted
1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, [l](Y)called as an apostle, having been (Z)set apart for (AA)the gospel of God, 2 which He (AB)promised beforehand through His (AC)prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born (AD)of the seed of David (AE)according to the flesh, 4 who was designated as (AF)the Son of God in power, according to the [m]Spirit of holiness, [n]by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we received grace and (AG)apostleship for the (AH)obedience of faith among (AI)all the Gentiles for the sake of His name, 6 among whom you also are the (AJ)called of Jesus Christ;
7 to all who are (AK)beloved of God in Rome, called as [o](AL)saints: (AM)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, (AN)I thank my God through Jesus Christ [p]for you all, because (AO)your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For (AP)God, whom I (AQ)serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how without ceasing (AR)I make mention of you, 10 always in my prayers earnestly asking, if perhaps now at last by (AS)the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. 11 For (AT)I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be strengthened; 12 that is, to be mutually encouraged, while among you, by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 (AU)I do not want you to be unaware, (AV)brothers, that often I (AW)have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may have some (AX)fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 (AY)I am [q]under obligation both to Greeks and to (AZ)barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 In this way, for my part, I am eager to (BA)proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
16 For I am not (BB)ashamed of the gospel, for (BC)it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the (BD)Jew first and also to (BE)the Greek. 17 For in it (BF)the righteousness of God is revealed [r]from faith to faith; as it is written, “[s](BG)But the righteous will live by faith.”
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 For (BH)the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who (BI)suppress the truth [t]in unrighteousness, 19 because (BJ)that which is known about God is evident [u]within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For (BK)since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, (BL)being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became (BM)futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 (BN)Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and (BO)exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the likeness of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
24 Therefore (BP)God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be (BQ)dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for [v]a (BR)lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, (BS)who is blessed [w]forever. Amen.
26 For this reason (BT)God gave them over to (BU)dishonorable passions; for their (BV)females exchanged the natural function for that which is [x]unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the (BW)males abandoned the natural function of the female and burned in their desire toward one another, (BX)males with males committing [y]indecent acts and receiving in [z]their own persons the due penalty of their error.
28 And just as they did not see fit [aa]to acknowledge God, (BY)God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are (BZ)gossips, 30 slanderers, [ab](CA)haters of God, violent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, (CB)disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, (CC)unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the righteous requirement of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of (CD)death, they not only do the same, but also (CE)give hearty approval to those who practice them.
God’s Righteous Judgment
2 Therefore you are (CF)without excuse, (CG)O man, everyone who passes judgment, for in that which (CH)you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 And we know that the judgment of God [ac]rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3 But do you presume this, (CI)O man—who passes judgment on those who practice such things and does the same—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you think lightly of (CJ)the riches of His (CK)kindness and (CL)forbearance and (CM)patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But [ad]because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart (CN)you are storing up wrath for yourself (CO)in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 (CP)who will repay to each according to his works: 7 to those who by (CQ)perseverance in doing good seek for (CR)glory and honor and (CS)immortality, (CT)eternal life; 8 but to those who are (CU)selfishly ambitious and (CV)do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and anger. 9 There will be (CW)affliction and turmoil [ae]for every soul of man who works out evil, of the Jew (CX)first and also of the Greek, 10 but (CY)glory and honor and peace to everyone who works good, to the Jew (CZ)first and also to the Greek. 11 For (DA)there is no partiality with God.
12 For all who have sinned [af](DB)without the Law will also perish [ag]without the Law, and all who have sinned [ah]under the Law will be judged [ai]by the Law. 13 For it is (DC)not the hearers [aj]of the Law who are [ak]just before God, but the doers [al]of the Law will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have [am]the Law (DD)naturally do the things of the Law, these, not having [an]the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they demonstrate (DE)the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, (DF)according to my gospel, (DG)God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
The Jew Is Judged by the Law
17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and (DH)rely [ao]upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and [ap](DI)approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a [aq]corrector of the foolish, a teacher of [ar]the immature, having in the Law (DJ)the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, (DK)who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who [as]preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you (DL)rob temples? 23 You who (DM)boast [at]in the Law, through your transgression of the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For “(DN)the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles (DO)because of you,” just as it is written.
25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you (DP)practice [au]the Law, but if you are a transgressor [av]of the Law, (DQ)your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 (DR)So if (DS)the [aw]uncircumcised man (DT)observes the righteous requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 And (DU)he who is physically uncircumcised, if he [ax]fulfills the Law, will he not (DV)judge you who, through the letter of the Law and circumcision, are a transgressor [ay]of the Law? 28 For (DW)he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But (DX)he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and (DY)circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the (DZ)Spirit, not by the letter; (EA)and his praise is not from men, but from God.
There Is None Righteous
3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Great in every respect. First of all, that (EB)they were entrusted with the (EC)oracles of God. 3 What then? If (ED)some [az]did not believe, does their [ba]unbelief abolish the faithfulness of God? 4 (EE)May it never be! Rather, let God be true and every man (EF)a liar, as it is written,
5 But if our unrighteousness [bc](EH)demonstrates the righteousness of God, (EI)what shall we say? Is the God who inflicts wrath unrighteous? ((EJ)I am speaking in human terms.) 6 (EK)May it never be! For otherwise, how will (EL)God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie (EM)the truth of God abounded to His glory, (EN)why am I also still being judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “(EO)Let us do evil that good may come”? [bd]Their condemnation is just.
9 What then? (EP)Are we [be]better? Not at all; for we have already charged that both (EQ)Jews and (ER)Greeks are (ES)all under sin; 10 as it is written,
“(ET)There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become worthless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”
13 “(EU)Their throat is an open tomb,
With their tongues they keep deceiving,”
“(EV)The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “(EW)Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;
15 “(EX)Their feet are swift to shed blood,
16 Destruction and misery are in their paths,
17 And the path of peace they have not known.”
18 “(EY)There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the (EZ)Law says, it speaks to (FA)those who are in the Law, so that every mouth may be shut and (FB)all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because (FC)by the works [bf]of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for [bg](FD)through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
The Righteousness of God through Faith
21 But now apart [bh]from the Law (FE)the righteousness of God has been manifested, being (FF)witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the (FG)righteousness of God through (FH)faith (FI)in Jesus Christ for (FJ)all those [bi]who believe; for (FK)there is no distinction; 23 for all [bj](FL)have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift (FM)by His grace through (FN)the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as (FO)a [bk]propitiation [bl](FP)in His blood through faith, for a demonstration of His righteousness, [bm]because in the (FQ)forbearance of God He (FR)passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who [bn]has faith in Jesus.
27 Where then is (FS)boasting? It is excluded. By (FT)what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 [bo]For (FU)we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works [bp]of the Law. 29 Or (FV)is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed (FW)God, (FX)who will justify the [bq]circumcised [br]by faith and the [bs]uncircumcised through that faith, (FY)is one.
31 Do we then abolish [bt]the Law through faith? (FZ)May it never be! On the contrary, we (GA)establish the Law.
Abraham and David’s Faith Counted as Righteousness
4 What then shall we say that Abraham, [bu]our forefather (GB)according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified [bv]by works, he has something to boast about—but (GC)not [bw]before God! 3 For what does the Scripture say? “(GD)Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who (GE)works, his wage is not counted according to grace, but according to what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but (GF)believes upon Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
7 “(GG)Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven,
And whose sins have been covered.
8 (GH)Blessed is the man whose sin the [bx]Lord will not (GI)take into account.”
9 Therefore, is this blessing on [by](GJ)the circumcised, or on [bz]the uncircumcised also? For (GK)we say, “(GL)Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it counted? While he was [ca]circumcised, or [cb]uncircumcised? Not while [cc]circumcised, but while [cd]uncircumcised; 11 and he (GM)received the sign of circumcision, (GN)a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [ce]he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be (GO)the father of (GP)all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be counted to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which [cf]he had while uncircumcised.
13 For (GQ)the promise to Abraham or to his seed (GR)that he would be heir of the world was not [cg]through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For (GS)if those who are [ch]of the Law are heirs, faith has been made empty and the promise has been abolished; 15 for (GT)the Law brings about wrath, but (GU)where there is no law, there also is no trespass.
16 For this reason it is [ci]by faith, in order that it may be according to (GV)grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to (GW)all the seed, not only to [cj]those who are of the Law, but also to [ck](GX)those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is (GY)the father of us all— 17 as it is written, “(GZ)A father of many nations have I made you”—in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, (HA)who gives life to the dead and [cl](HB)calls into being (HC)that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become (HD)a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “(HE)So shall your seed be.” 19 And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now (HF)as good as dead since (HG)he was about a hundred years old, and (HH)the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, (HI)giving glory to God, 21 and (HJ)being fully assured that (HK)what God had promised, He was able also to do. 22 Therefore (HL)it was also counted to him as righteousness. 23 Now (HM)not for his sake only was it written that it was counted to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be counted, as those (HN)who believe upon Him who (HO)raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was (HP)delivered over on account of our transgressions, and was (HQ)raised on account of our justification.
Results of Justification by Faith
5 (HR)Therefore, having been justified by faith, [cm](HS)we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have (HT)obtained our introduction by faith into this grace (HU)in which we stand; and [cn]we boast in hope of the glory of God. 3 (HV)And not only this, but [co]we also (HW)boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about (HX)perseverance; 4 and (HY)perseverance, (HZ)proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope (IA)does not put to shame, because the love of God has been (IB)poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6 For while we were still (IC)weak, (ID)at the right time (IE)Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man, [cp]though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God (IF)demonstrates (IG)His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, (IH)Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified [cq](II)by His blood, we shall be saved (IJ)from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were (IK)enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved [cr](IL)by His life. 11 (IM)And not only this, [cs]but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received (IN)the reconciliation.
The Gift of Righteousness in Christ
12 Therefore, just as through (IO)one man sin entered into the world, and (IP)death through sin, and (IQ)so death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 for [ct]until the Law sin was in the world, but (IR)sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned (IS)in the likeness of the trespass of Adam, who is a [cu](IT)type of Him who was to come.
15 But [cv]the gracious gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of (IU)the one (IV)the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by (IW)the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand (IX)the judgment arose from one transgression [cw]resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the gracious gift arose from many transgressions [cx]resulting in justification. 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned (IY)through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will (IZ)reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
18 So then as through (JA)one transgression [cy]there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one (JB)act of righteousness [cz]there resulted (JC)justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience (JD)the many (JE)were appointed sinners, even so through (JF)the obedience of the One (JG)the many will be appointed righteous. 20 Now [da](JH)the Law came in so that the transgression would increase, but where sin increased, (JI)grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as (JJ)sin reigned in death, even so (JK)grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Dead to Sin, Alive to God
6 (JL)What shall we say then? Are we to (JM)continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 (JN)May it never be! How shall we who (JO)died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who were (JP)baptized into (JQ)Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were (JR)buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was (JS)raised from the dead through the (JT)glory of the Father, so we too might walk in (JU)newness of life. 5 For (JV)if we have become [db]united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be [dc]in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our (JW)old man was (JX)crucified with Him, in order that our (JY)body of sin might be [dd]done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for (JZ)he who has died has been [de]justified from sin.
8 Now (KA)if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been (KB)raised from the dead, [df]is never to die again; (KC)death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all, but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be (KD)dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin (KE)reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on (KF)presenting your members to sin as [dg]instruments of unrighteousness, but (KG)present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as [dh]instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For (KH)sin shall not (KI)be master over you, for (KJ)you are not under law but (KK)under grace.
Slaves of Righteousness
15 What then? (KL)Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? (KM)May it never be! 16 Do you not (KN)know that when you go on presenting yourselves to someone as (KO)slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of (KP)sin [di]leading to death, or of obedience [dj]leading to righteousness? 17 But (KQ)thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that (KR)pattern of teaching to which you were (KS)given over, 18 and having been (KT)freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 (KU)I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just (KV)as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, [dk]leading to further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, [dl]leading to sanctification.
20 For (KW)when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 Therefore what [dm](KX)benefit were you then having [dn]from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is (KY)death. 22 But now having been (KZ)freed from sin and (LA)enslaved to God, you have your [do](LB)benefit, [dp]leading to sanctification, and (LC)the end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of (LD)sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is (LE)eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Released from the Law
7 Or do you not know, (LF)brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is master over a person as long as he lives? 2 For (LG)the married woman has been bound by law to her [dq]husband while he is living, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law [dr]concerning the husband. 3 So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.
4 So, my brothers, you also were (LH)made to die (LI)to the Law (LJ)through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were (LK)in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were (LL)aroused by the Law, were at work (LM)in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we have been (LN)released from the Law, having (LO)died to that by which we were constrained, so that we serve in (LP)newness of [ds](LQ)the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
7 (LR)What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? (LS)May it never be! Rather, (LT)I would not have come to know sin except [dt]through the Law. For I would not have known about [du]coveting if the Law had not said, “(LU)You shall not [dv]covet.” 8 But sin, (LV)taking opportunity (LW)through the commandment, worked out in me [dw]coveting of every kind. For (LX)apart [dx]from the Law sin is dead. 9 Now I was once alive apart [dy]from the Law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died; 10 and this commandment, which was [dz](LY)to lead to life, was found [ea]to lead to death for me. 11 For sin, (LZ)taking an opportunity (MA)through the commandment, (MB)deceived me and through it killed me. 12 (MC)So, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
The Conflict of Two Natures
13 Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? (MD)May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by working out my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would [eb]become utterly sinful.
14 For we know that the Law is (ME)spiritual, but I am (MF)fleshly, (MG)having been sold [ec](MH)into bondage under sin. 15 For what I am working out, (MI)I do not understand; for I am not practicing (MJ)what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want, I agree with (MK)the Law, that it is good. 17 So now, (ML)no longer am I the one working it out, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my (MM)flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the working out of the good is not. 19 For (MN)the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, (MO)I am no longer the one working it out, but sin which dwells in me.
21 I find then (MP)the [ed]principle that in me evil is present—in me who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God [ee]in (MQ)the inner man, 23 but I see (MR)a different law in my members, waging war against the (MS)law of my mind and making me a captive [ef]to (MT)the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from [eg](MU)the body of this (MV)death? 25 [eh](MW)Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh (MX)the law of sin.
The Spirit of God Dwells in You
8 Therefore there is now no (MY)condemnation for those who are (MZ)in (NA)Christ Jesus. 2 For (NB)the law of the Spirit of life [ei]in (NC)Christ Jesus (ND)has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For (NE)what the Law could not do, [ej](NF)weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in (NG)the likeness of [ek]sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the (NH)righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who (NI)do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on (NJ)the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, (NK)the things of the Spirit. 6 (NL)For the mind set on the flesh is (NM)death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is at (NN)enmity toward God, for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are (NO)in the flesh are not able to please God.
9 However, you are not (NP)in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God (NQ)dwells in you. But (NR)if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 (NS)But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is [el]alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who (NT)raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, (NU)He who raised (NV)Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [em]through His Spirit who dwells in you.
12 So then, brothers, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for (NW)if you are living according to the flesh, you [en]must die, but if by the Spirit you are (NX)putting to death the (NY)practices of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are (NZ)being led by the Spirit of God, these are (OA)sons of God. 15 For you (OB)have not received a spirit of slavery [eo]leading to fear again, but you (OC)have received the Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry out, “(OD)Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself (OE)testifies with our spirit that we are (OF)children of God, 17 and if children, also (OG)heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, (OH)if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (OI)are not worthy to be compared with the (OJ)glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the (OK)anxious longing of the creation eagerly waits for (OL)the revealing of the (OM)sons of God. 20 For the creation (ON)was subjected to (OO)futility, not willingly, but (OP)because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 [ep]that (OQ)the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation (OR)groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 (OS)And not only this, but also we ourselves, having (OT)the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves (OU)groan within ourselves, (OV)eagerly waiting for our adoption as sons, (OW)the redemption of our body. 24 For (OX)in hope we were saved, but (OY)hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But (OZ)if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we eagerly wait for it.
26 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness, for (PA)we do not know how to pray as we should, but (PB)the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and (PC)He who searches the hearts knows what (PD)the mind of the Spirit is, because He (PE)intercedes for the [eq]saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that for those who love God [er](PF)all things work together for good, for those who are (PG)called according to His purpose. 29 Because those whom He (PH)foreknew, He also (PI)predestined to become (PJ)conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the (PK)firstborn among many brothers; 30 and those whom He (PL)predestined, He also (PM)called; and those whom He called, He also (PN)justified; and those whom He justified, He also (PO)glorified.
God Is for Us
31 (PP)What then shall we say to these things? (PQ)If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who indeed (PR)did not spare His own Son, but (PS)delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against (PT)God’s elect? (PU)God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who (PV)condemns? Christ Jesus is He who (PW)died, yes, rather who was [es](PX)raised, who is (PY)at the right hand of God, who also (PZ)intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from (QA)the love of [et]Christ? Will (QB)affliction, or turmoil, or (QC)persecution, or (QD)famine, or (QE)nakedness, or (QF)peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written,
“(QG)For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were counted as sheep for the slaughter.”
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly (QH)conquer through (QI)Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither (QJ)death, nor life, nor (QK)angels, nor rulers, nor (QL)things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from (QM)the love of God, which is (QN)in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God’s Chosen People, Israel
9 (QO)I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For (QP)I could [eu]wish that I myself were (QQ)accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen (QR)according to the flesh, 4 who are (QS)Israelites, to whom belongs (QT)the adoption as sons, and (QU)the glory and (QV)the covenants and (QW)the giving of the Law and (QX)the temple service and (QY)the promises, 5 whose are (QZ)the fathers, and (RA)from whom is the [ev]Christ according to the flesh, (RB)who is (RC)God over all, (RD)blessed [ew]forever. Amen.
6 But it is not as though (RE)the word of God has failed. (RF)For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children (RG)because they are Abraham’s seed, but: “[ex](RH)through Isaac your seed will be named.” 8 That is, the children of the flesh are not the (RI)children of God, but the (RJ)children of the promise are considered as seed. 9 For this is the word of promise: “(RK)At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 (RL)And not only this, but there was (RM)Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that the (RN)purpose of God according to His choice would [ey]stand, not [ez]because of works but [fa]because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “(RO)The older shall serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written, “(RP)Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
14 (RQ)What shall we say then? (RR)Is there any unrighteousness with God? (RS)May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, “(RT)I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it does not depend on the one who wills or the one who (RU)runs, but on (RV)God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “(RW)For this very purpose I raised you up, in order to demonstrate My power in you, and in order that My name might be proclaimed [fb]throughout the whole earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He (RX)hardens whom He desires.
19 (RY)You will say to me then, “(RZ)Why does He still find fault? For (SA)who resists His will?” 20 On the contrary, who are you, (SB)O man, who (SC)answers back to God? (SD)Will the thing molded say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this”? 21 Or does not the potter have authority over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel [fc]for honorable use and another [fd]for dishonorable use? 22 And [fe]what if God, wanting to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much (SE)patience vessels of wrath (SF)having been prepared for destruction, 23 and in order that He might make known (SG)the riches of His glory upon (SH)vessels of mercy, which He (SI)prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us, whom He also (SJ)called, (SK)not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles? 25 As He says also in Hosea,
“(SL)I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’
And her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’”
26 “(SM)And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not My people,’
There they shall be called sons of (SN)the living God.”
27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “(SO)Though the number of the sons of Israel be (SP)like the sand of the sea, it is (SQ)the remnant that will be saved; 28 (SR)for the Lord will execute His word on the land, [ff]thoroughly and [fg]quickly.” 29 And just as Isaiah foretold,
“(SS)Unless (ST)the Lord of [fh]Sabaoth had left to us a seed,
(SU)We would have become like Sodom, and would have [fi]resembled Gomorrah.”
30 (SV)What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, laid hold of righteousness, even (SW)the righteousness which is [fj]by faith; 31 but Israel, (SX)pursuing a law of righteousness, did not (SY)attain that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it [fk]by faith, but as though it were [fl]by works. They stumbled over (SZ)the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written,
“(TA)Behold, I am laying in Zion (TB)a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense,
(TC)And the one who believes upon Him (TD)will not be put to shame.”
10 Brothers, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have (TE)a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For not knowing about the (TF)righteousness of God and (TG)seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For (TH)Christ is the [fm]end of the law for righteousness to (TI)everyone who believes.
Faith Comes by Hearing
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of law: “(TJ)The man who does these things shall live by them.” 6 But (TK)the righteousness of faith speaks in this way: “(TL)Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will go down into the (TM)abyss?’ (that is, to (TN)bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “(TO)The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 [fn]that (TP)if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and (TQ)believe in your heart that (TR)God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, [fo]leading to righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [fp]leading to salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “(TS)Whoever believes upon Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For (TT)there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is (TU)Lord of (TV)all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him, 13 for “(TW)Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him (TX)whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without (TY)a preacher? 15 And how will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “(TZ)How beautiful are the feet of those who (UA)proclaim good news of good things!”
16 However, they (UB)did not all heed the [fq]good news, for Isaiah says, “(UC)Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from (UD)hearing, and hearing by (UE)the word [fr]of Christ.
18 But I say, have they never heard? On the contrary, they have;
19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says,
“(UG)I will (UH)make you jealous by that which is not a nation,
By a nation without understanding will I anger you.”
20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,
“(UI)I was found by those who did not seek Me,
I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”
21 But as for Israel He says, “(UJ)All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
God Has Not Rejected Israel
11 I say then, has God (UK)rejected His people? (UL)May it never be! For (UM)I too am an Israelite, a seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 [ft](UN)God has not rejected His people whom He (UO)foreknew. (UP)Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, (UQ)they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what does the divine response say to him? “(UR)I have left for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In this way then, at the present time, (US)a remnant according to God’s [fu]gracious choice has also come to be. 6 But (UT)if it is by grace, it is no longer of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
7 What then? What (UU)Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but the chosen obtained it, and the rest were (UV)hardened; 8 just as it is written,
“[fv](UW)God gave them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes to see not and ears to hear not,
Down to this very day.”
9 And David says,
“(UX)Let their table become a snare and a trap,
And a stumbling block and a retribution to them.
10 (UY)Let their eyes be darkened to see not,
And bend their backs forever.”
Gentiles Grafted In
11 (UZ)I say then, did they stumble so as to fall? (VA)May it never be! But by their transgression (VB)salvation has come to the Gentiles, to (VC)make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their [fw](VD)fullness be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as (VE)I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might (VF)move to jealousy (VG)my [fx]fellow countrymen and (VH)save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the (VI)reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but (VJ)life from the dead? 16 And if the (VK)first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
17 But if some of the (VL)branches were broken off, and (VM)you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became a partaker with them of the [fy]rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast against them, remember that (VN)it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 (VO)You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right! They were broken off for their unbelief, but you (VP)stand by your faith. (VQ)Do not be haughty, but fear, 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s (VR)kindness, (VS)if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also (VT)will be cut off. 23 And they also, (VU)if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
All Israel Will Be Saved
25 For (VV)I do not want you, brothers, to be uninformed of this (VW)mystery—so that you will not be (VX)wise in your own estimation—that a partial (VY)hardening has happened to Israel until the (VZ)fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
“(WA)The Deliverer will come from Zion,
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”
27 “(WB)And this is [fz]My covenant with them,
(WC)When I take away their sins.”
28 [ga]From the standpoint of the gospel they are (WD)enemies for your sake, but [gb]from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for (WE)the sake of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the (WF)calling of God (WG)are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For (WH)God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
33 Oh, the depth of (WI)the riches and (WJ)wisdom and knowledge of God! (WK)How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For (WL)who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or (WM)who has first given to Him [gc]that it might be repaid to him? 36 For (WN)from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. (WO)To Him be the glory [gd]forever. Amen.
A Living and Holy Sacrifice
12 Therefore (WP)I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to (WQ)present your bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your [ge]spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not (WR)be conformed to (WS)this [gf]world, but be transformed by the (WT)renewing of your mind, so that you may (WU)approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and [gg]perfect.
3 For through (WV)the grace given to me I say to each one among you (WW)not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound thinking, as God has allotted to (WX)each a measure of faith. 4 For (WY)just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, (WZ)who are many, are (XA)one body in Christ, and individually members one of another, 6 but having gifts that (XB)differ according to the grace given to us: whether (XC)prophecy, [gh]in agreement with the faith; 7 or [gi](XD)service, in his serving; or he who (XE)teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who (XF)exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with [gj](XG)generosity; (XH)he who [gk]leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with (XI)cheerfulness.
9 Let (XJ)love be without hypocrisy—by (XK)abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good, 10 being (XL)devoted to one another in brotherly love, [gl]giving preference to one another (XM)in honor, 11 not lagging behind in diligence, being (XN)fervent in spirit, (XO)serving the Lord, 12 (XP)rejoicing in hope, (XQ)persevering in affliction, being (XR)devoted to prayer, 13 (XS)contributing to the needs of the [gm]saints, (XT)pursuing hospitality.
14 (XU)Bless those who persecute [gn]you; bless, and do not curse. 15 (XV)Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep, 16 by (XW)being of the same mind toward one another, (XX)not being haughty in mind, but [go]associating with the humble. (XY)Do not be wise in your own mind. 17 (XZ)Never paying back evil for evil to anyone, [gp](YA)respecting what is good in the sight of all men, 18 if possible, (YB)so far as it depends on you, (YC)being at peace with all men, 19 (YD)never taking your own revenge, beloved—instead [gq]leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, “(YE)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “(YF)But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Be Subject to Government
13 Every [gr](YG)person is to be in (YH)subjection to the governing authorities. For (YI)there is no authority except [gs]from God, and those which exist have been appointed by God. 2 Therefore [gt]whoever resists that authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For (YJ)rulers are not a cause of fear for [gu]good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of that authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword in vain, for it is a minister of God, an (YK)avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of that wrath, but also because of (YL)conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 (YM)Render to all what is due them: (YN)tax to whom tax is due; (YO)custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for (YP)he who loves [gv]his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “(YQ)You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, “(YR)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does not work evil against a neighbor; therefore (YS)love is the fulfillment of the Law.
11 And do this, knowing the time, that it is (YT)already the hour for you to (YU)awaken from sleep; for now [gw]salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 (YV)The night is almost gone, and (YW)the day is at hand. Therefore let us lay aside (YX)the deeds of darkness and put on (YY)the armor of light. 13 Let us (YZ)walk properly as in the day, (ZA)not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But (ZB)put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh (ZC)in regard to its lusts.
Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another
14 Now (ZD)accept the one who is (ZE)weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on opinions. 2 (ZF)One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is (ZG)weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats must not (ZH)view the one who does not eat with contempt, and the one who does not eat must not (ZI)judge the one who eats, for God (ZJ)accepted him. 4 (ZK)Who are you to judge the [gx]servant of another? To his own [gy]master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 (ZL)One person judges one day above another, another judges every day alike. Each person must be (ZM)fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who regards the day, regards it for the Lord, and he who eats, eats for the Lord, for he (ZN)gives thanks to God; and he who does not eat, for the Lord he does not eat and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us (ZO)lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore (ZP)whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end (ZQ)Christ died and lived again, that He might be (ZR)Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you (ZS)view your brother with contempt? For (ZT)we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written,
“(ZU)As I live, says the [gz]Lord, (ZV)to Me every knee shall bow,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then (ZW)each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us not (ZX)judge one another anymore, but rather judge this—(ZY)not to put a stumbling block or offense before a brother. 14 I know and am convinced [ha]in the Lord Jesus that (ZZ)nothing is defiled in itself; but to him who (AAA)considers anything to be defiled, to him it is defiled. 15 For if because of food your brother is grieved, you are no longer (AAB)walking according to love. (AAC)Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore (AAD)do not let what is for you a good thing be [hb]slandered; 17 for the kingdom of God (AAE)is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and (AAF)peace and (AAG)joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way (AAH)serves Christ is (AAI)pleasing to God and approved by men. 19 So then [hc]let us (AAJ)pursue the things which make for peace and the (AAK)building up of one another. 20 (AAL)Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. (AAM)All things indeed are clean, but (AAN)they are evil for the man who eats [hd]and gives offense. 21 (AAO)It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have [he]as your own conviction before God. Blessed is he who (AAP)does not judge himself in what he approves. 23 But (AAQ)he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
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