eng_aiv Amundson Interpretive Version Romans Romans Romans Rom Romans id=eng_aiv name=Amundson Interpretive Version (AIV) status=draft spec=USFM-USX 3.1.1 export=2026-11-02 char:add=translator-addition-italic char:wj=words-of-Jesus-as-received-unmapped note:f=footnotes para:r=parallel-passage-references para:d=psalm-superscriptions Paul Greets the Saints in Rome Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus,1.1 BYZ and TR of Jesus Christ a called apostle having been set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, the One having come of the seed of David according to the flesh, the One having been determined the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the Gentiles on behalf of His name, among whom are you⁺ also, called of Jesus Christ. To all those being in Rome beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you⁺ and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Unashamed of the Gospel First indeed, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you⁺, because your⁺ faith is being proclaimed in all the world. For God, whom I serve in my spirit1.9 Or with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness how unceasingly I make remembrance of you⁺, always upon my prayers, imploring if somehow now at last by the will of God I will make a prosperous journey to come to you⁺. For I long to see you⁺ so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you⁺, to your⁺ being strengthened, and, that is, to be encouraged together among you⁺ through the faith among one another, both of you⁺ and of me. Now I do not want you⁺ to be ignorant, brothers, that many times I purposed to come to you⁺, and was prevented until the present, so that I might have some fruit among you⁺ also, even as among the other Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians,1.14 Or to Greeks and non-Greeks both to wise and to foolish. Thus, as to me, I am ready to preach the gospel also to you⁺ who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel,1.16 BYZ and TR include of Christ. for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone believing—both to Jew first, and to Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it has been written: “And the righteous one will live by faith.”1.17 Or For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish 1.17 Habakkuk 2:4 God’s Wrath against Sin For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known of God is manifest among them, for God has revealed it to them. For from the creation of the world His invisible qualities, both His eternal power and divinity, are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, for them to be without excuse. For having known God, not as God did they glorify Him, or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and they changed1.23 F35 exchanged for themselves the glory of the immortal God into the likeness of an image of mortal man and birds and quadrupeds and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the sinful desires of their hearts to uncleanness to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who changed the truth of God into falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the One having created, who is blessed to the ages!1.25 Or forever worthy of praise Amen. Because of this, God gave up them to passions of dishonor. For even their females changed the natural use into that contrary to nature. And likewise also the males, having left the natural use of the female, were inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working out shame and receiving back in themselves the recompense that was fitting of their error. And just as they did not see fit to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to an unfit mind, to do the things not being proper; being filled with all unrighteousness,1.29 BYZ and TR include sexual immorality. wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; gossips, slanderers, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boasters; inventors of evil, disobedient to parents; unintelligent, untrustworthy, unloving,1.31 BYZ and TR include unforgiving. unmerciful; who, having known the righteous decree of God that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only are doing them, but also agree with those practicing them. God’s Righteous Judgment (Psalm 75:1–10) Therefore you are without excuse, O man, every one who is judging. For in that which you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, for you, the one judging, practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God upon those practicing such things is according to truth. Now do you reckon this, O man, the one judging those practicing such things, and doing them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,2.5 BYZ you are storing up for yourself wrath for the day of wrath, revelation, and the righteous judgment of God, who “will repay to each according to his works,” 2.6 Psalm 62:12 to those who indeed with perseverance in good work are seeking glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those of self-interest and disobeying the truth but obeying unrighteousness, wrath and anger;2.8 BYZ and TR anger and wrath tribulation and distress upon every soul of man working evil, both of Jew first, and also of Greek; but glory and honor and peace to everyone working good, both to Jew first, and to Greek. For there is no partiality with God. For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without the law; and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law, for not the hearers of the law are righteous before God; but the doers of the law will be declared righteous. For when Gentiles, not having the law, may do by nature the things of the law, these not having a law are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also testifying, and the thoughts between one another accusing or also defending them on the day when God judges the secrets of men according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.2.16 BYZ and TR through Jesus Christ The Jews and the Law But if you are named2.17 BYZ and TR Behold, you are named a Jew and rest upon the law and boast in God, and you know the will and approve the things being superior, being instructed out of the law, and you have persuaded yourself that you are a guide of the blind, a light to those in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth— then you who are teaching another, do you not teach yourself? You who are preaching not to steal, do you steal? You who are saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who are abhorring idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God through the transgression of the law? As it has been written: “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you⁺.” 2.24 Isaiah 52:5 (see also LXX) For circumcision indeed profits if you practice the law; but if you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be reckoned as circumcision? And the uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the law, will judge you who through the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law. For it is not the one who on the outside is a Jew, nor is that on the outside in flesh circumcision. But a Jew is one on the inside, and circumcision is of heart, in spirit, not in letter, of whom the praise is not of men, but of God. God Remains Faithful What then is the superiority of the Jew? Or what is the profit of the circumcision? Much in every way. For first indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles3.2 Or the very words of God. For what If some disbelieved? Will their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God? Never may it be! But let God be true and every man a liar, as it has been written: “So that You may be justified in Your words, and you will be victorious in Your judging.” 3.4 Or when You are judged; Psalm 51:4 (see also LXX) But if our unrighteousness proves God’s righteousness, what will we say? God, inflicting the wrath, is unrighteous? I speak according to man. Never may it be! Otherwise, how will God judge the world? But3.7 BYZ and TR For if the truth of God in my falsehood abounded to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? And is it not, as we are slandered and as some affirm us to say, “Let us do evil so that the good may come”? Their judgment is just. There Is No One Righteous (Psalm 14:1–7; Psalm 53:1–6; Isaiah 59:1–17) What then? Are we better? Not at all. For we charged before both Jews and Greeks with being all under sin. As it has been written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one understanding; there is no one seeking out God. All turned away; together they became worthless; there is none who is doing kindness, there is not even one.” 3.12 Psalm 14:1–3 and Psalm 53:1–3 (see also LXX) “Their throat is a grave having been opened; they keep practicing deceit with their tongues;” “the poison of vipers is under their lips,”3.13 Psalm 5:9 3.13 Psalm 140:3 “of whom the mouth is full of cursing and of bitterness;” 3.14 Psalm 10:7 (see also LXX) “their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery are in their paths; and a way of peace they did not know.” 3.17 Isaiah 59:7–8 (see also LXX) “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 3.18 Psalm 36:1 Now we know that as much as the law says, it speaks to those in the law, so that every mouth may be shut, and all the world may be under judgment to God. Therefore by works of the law, not any flesh will be justified before Him; for through the law is knowledge of sin. Righteousness through Faith in Christ (Philippians 3:1–11) But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified to by the Law and the Prophets. And the righteousness of God is through faith from Jesus Christ toward all3.22 BYZ and TR include and upon all. those believing. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation3.25 Or as an atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the sins having taken place beforehand in the forbearance of God, for the demonstration of His righteousness in the present time, for Him to be just and justifying the one of the faith from Jesus. Where then is the boasting? It was excluded. By what kind of law? That of works? No, but by the law of faith. For3.28 BYZ and TR Therefore we reckon a man to be justified by faith apart from works of law. Or is He the God of Jews only, not also of Gentiles? Yes, also of Gentiles, since indeed God is one, who will justify the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through the same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law through faith? Never may it be! Rather, we uphold the law. Abraham Justified by Faith (Genesis 15:1–7; Psalm 32:1–11; Hebrews 11:8–19) What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has a ground of boasting, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4.3 Genesis 15:6 Now to the one working, the wage is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt. But to the one not working but believing on the One justifying the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness, just as David also declares the blessedness of the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall never reckon sin.” 4.8 Psalm 32:1–2 (see also LXX) Is this blessedness, then, on the circumcision, or also on the uncircumcision? For we are saying faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it reckoned—being in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.4.10 Or In what context was it credited? Was it after his circumcision, or before? It was not after, but before. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had while in the uncircumcision, for him to be father of all those believing through uncircumcision, for the righteousness to be reckoned also4.11 SBL, TH, and WH do not include also. to them, and father of circumcision to those not only of circumcision, but also to those walking in the footsteps of the faith of our father Abraham in uncircumcision. Abraham Receives the Promise (Genesis 15:8–21) For not through law was the promise to Abraham or his seed for him to be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those of the law are heirs, faith has been made void and the promise has been nullified. For the law brings about wrath; and4.15 BYZ and TR for where there is no law, neither is there transgression. Because of this it is of faith, so that it may be according to grace for the promise to be sure to all the seed, not only to that of the law, but also to that of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it has been written: “A father of many nations I have set you”) before Him whom he believed—God, the One making alive the dead and calling existing the things not as existing— 4.17 Genesis 17:5 who against hope in hope believed, for him to become the father of many nations, according to that having been spoken, “So will your seed be.” 4.18 Genesis 15:5 And not having become weak in the faith,4.19 BYZ and TR include neither. he considered his body already having become dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. Yet he did not doubt in unbelief in the promise of God, but was empowered in faith, having given glory to God, and having been fully assured that what He has promised, He is also able to do. Therefore also “it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4.22 Genesis 15:6 Now it was not written because of him alone that “it was reckoned to him,” but also because of us, to whom it is about to be reckoned, to those believing on the One having raised Jesus our Lord out from the dead, who was delivered over because of our trespasses, and was raised because of our justification. The Triumph of Faith Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have5.1 Or let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast5.2 Or exult; also in verses 3 and 11 in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but also we boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the One having been given to us. Christ’s Sacrifice for the Ungodly (John 3:1–21) Still indeed Christ, in our still being weak, according to the right time, died for the ungodly. For hardly anyone will die for a righteous man, though for the good man perhaps someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love to us, that in our being still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore much more, having been justified now by His blood, we will be saved by Him from wrath! For if, being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we will be saved in His life! And not only so, but also we are boasting in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we now received reconciliation. Death in Adam, Life in Christ (Genesis 3:1–7) Because of this, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, so also death passed through to all men, because all sinned. For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed, there being no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those not having sinned in the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the coming One. But not as the trespass, so also is the gracious gift; for if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more the grace of God and the gift in grace, that of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded to the many! And not as through one having sinned is the gift; for indeed the judgment out of one is to condemnation; but the gracious gift out of many trespasses is to justification. For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those receiving the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ! So then, just as through one trespass is condemnation to all men so also through one righteous act is justification of life to all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. And the law entered so that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace overabounded, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Dead to Sin, Alive to God (2 Corinthians 4:7–18) What then will we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? Never may it be! We who died to sin, how shall we still live in it? Or are you⁺ ignorant that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, so that the body of sin might be nullified, for us no longer to be slaves to sin. For the one having died has been justified from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised out from the dead, dies no more; death no longer rules over Him. For that which He died, He died to sin once for all; but that which He lives, He lives to God. So also you⁺, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but living to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your⁺ mortal body, in order to obey its desires. Neither present your⁺ members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as living out from the dead, and your⁺ members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will not rule over you⁺, for you⁺ are not under law, but under grace. The Wages of Sin What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Never may it be! Do you⁺ not know that to whom you⁺ present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you⁺ are slaves to the one whom you⁺ obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God that you⁺ used to be slaves of sin, but you⁺ obeyed from the heart the form of teaching to which you⁺ were delivered up. Now having been set free from sin, you⁺ became slaves to righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your⁺ flesh. For just as you⁺ presented your⁺ members as slaves to uncleanness and to lawlessness unto lawlessness, so now present your⁺ members as slaves to righteousness unto sanctification. For when you⁺ were slaves of sin, you⁺ were free from righteousness. What fruit, therefore, were you⁺ having then in the things of which you⁺ are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now, having been set free from sin and having become slaves to God, you⁺ have your⁺ fruit unto sanctification, and the end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. BYZ and TR include our Lord. BYZ and TR to obey it in its desires See Proverbs 10:16. Release from the Law (Galatians 3:15–25) Or are you⁺ ignorant, brothers (for I speak to those knowing the law), that the law rules over the man for as long as the time he lives? For the married woman is bound by law to the living husband; but if the husband should die, she is released from the law of the husband. So then, of the husband being alive, if she becomes unto another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if the husband should die, she is free from the law, so as not for her to be an adulteress, having become unto another man. Likewise, my brothers, you⁺ also have been put to death to the law through the body of Christ, for you⁺ to become unto another, unto the One having been raised out from the dead, so that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins that were through the law were working in our members, to the bearing of fruit to death. But now we have been released from the law, having died to that by which we were held, so as for us to serve in the newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. God’s Law Is Holy What then will we say? Is the law sin? Never may it be! But I did not know sin, if not through the law. For I would not have been conscious of covetousness if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 7.7 Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21 But sin, having taken the opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all covetousness; for apart from the law, sin is dead. And I was once alive apart from the law, but on the commandment's having come, sin revived and I died; and the commandment that was unto life, this was found by me unto death. For sin, having taken the opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So indeed, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Struggling with Sin Did that which7.13 BYZ and TR Has that which is good, then, become death to me? Never may it be! But so that sin might be shown as sin, it is producing death through that which is good to me, so that through the commandment sin might become sinful beyond excess. For we have known that the law is spiritual; but I am fleshly, having been sold as a slave under sin. For what I carry out, I do not understand. For what I want, this I do not practice; but what I hate, this I do. Now if what I do not want, this I do, I assent to the law, that it is good. But now I no longer carry it out, but the sin dwelling in me. For I know that there does not dwell in me—that is, in my flesh—good. For to want is present with me, but not7.18 BYZ and TR but I cannot find how to carry out the good. For the good that I want, I do not do; but the evil that I do not want, this I practice. Now if what I do not want, this I do, no longer do I carry it out, but sin dwelling in me. I find, then, the law in my wanting to do good, that evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God according to the inner man, but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin being in my members.7.23 Or captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me out of this body of death? But thanks be to God7.25 BYZ and TR I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself indeed with the mind serve God’s law, but with the flesh the law of sin. Walking by the Spirit (Ezekiel 36:16–38; Galatians 5:16–26) Therefore there is now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus.8.1 BYZ and TR in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set you free8.2 BYZ and TR set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was incapable of in that it was weak through the flesh, God, having sent His Son in the likeness of flesh of sin and for sin,8.3 Or in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, those not walking according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those being according to the flesh mind the things of the flesh, but those according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostility toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able. And those being in the flesh8.8 Or Those controlled by the flesh; similarly in verse 9 are not able to please God. But you⁺ are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you⁺; and if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this one is not of Him. But if Christ is in you⁺, the body is indeed dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. 8.10 Or the Spirit And if the Spirit of the One having raised Jesus out from the dead dwells in you⁺, the One having raised Christ Jesus out from the dead8.11 NA, BYZ, and TR the One having raised Christ out from the dead will also make alive your⁺ mortal bodies through His Spirit, the One dwelling in you⁺. Heirs with Christ So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you⁺ live according to the flesh, you⁺ are about to die; but if by the Spirit you⁺ put to death the deeds of the body, you⁺ will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you⁺ did not receive a spirit of slavery again unto fear, but you⁺ received the Spirit of adoption as sons, in whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, also heirs: heirs indeed of God, and co-heirs of Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. Future Glory (2 Corinthians 5:1–10) For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not comparable to the glory about to be revealed in us. For the eager expectation of the creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the One having subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay, into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that all the creation groans together and travails together until now. And not only so, but we ourselves, even having the firstfruit of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly awaiting adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we were saved, but hope being seen is not hope. For does anyone hope for8.24 BYZ and TR Why does he hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly await in perseverance. Now likewise also, the Spirit joins to help in our weakness;8.26 BYZ and TR weaknesses for we do not know the things that we should pray for as it is necessary, but the Spirit Himself intercedes8.26 BYZ and TR include for us. with inexpressible groanings. And the One searching hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He intercedes for the saints according to God. God Works in All Things (Ephesians 1:3–14) And we know that God works together all things8.28 BYZ and TR that all things work together for good to those loving God, to those being called according to purpose, because whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be firstborn among many brothers. And whom He predestined, these also He called; and whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these also He glorified. What then will we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us— He who indeed did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who will bring an accusation against the chosen ones of God? God is the One justifying. Who is the one condemning? Christ Jesus8.34 BYZ and TR Christ the One having died, now rather having been raised, is He who is also at the right hand of God, and who is interceding for us. More than Conquerors (Psalm 44:1–26) Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it has been written: “For Your sake we face death all the day; we were reckoned as sheep of slaughter.” 8.36 Psalm 44:22 But in all these things we are more than conquerors through the One having loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things about to be, nor powers,8.38 BYZ and TR nor powers, nor things present, nor things about to be nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul’s Concern for the Jews I speak truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience is testifying with me in the Holy Spirit that sorrow to me is great, and unceasing pain is in my heart. For I could wish myself to be accursed, apart from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, whose is the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the lawgiving and the service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is Christ according to the flesh, being God over all, blessed to the ages!9.5 Or forever worthy of praise Amen. God’s Sovereign Choice (Genesis 25:19–28; Malachi 1:1–5) But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are of Israel, are these Israel. Nor because they are seed of Abraham are all children. Rather, “In Isaac a seed will be called to you.” 9.7 Genesis 21:12 That is, the children of the flesh, these are not children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for seed. For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come, and to Sarah there will be a son.” 9.9 Genesis 18:14 And not only so, but also Rebecca, having conception by one, Isaac our father— for they not yet having been born nor having done anything good or evil, so that the purpose of God according to election might stand— not of works but of the One calling, it was said to her, “The greater will serve the lesser.” 9.12 Genesis 25:23 As it has been written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 9.13 Malachi 1:2–3 What then will we say? Is there injustice with God? Never may it be! For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I may have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I may have compassion.” 9.15 Exodus 33:19 So then, it is not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God having mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “For this very thing I raised you up, so that I might display My power in you, and that My name should be declared in all the earth.” 9.17 Exodus 9:16 (see also LXX) So then, He has mercy on whom He wants, and He hardens whom He wants. You will say, then, to me, “Why then9.19 BYZ and TR Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” But rather, O man, who are you answering against God? Will the thing formed say to the One having formed it, “Why did you make me thus?” 9.20 Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 45:9 Or does the potter not have authority over the clay to make out of the same lump the one vessel indeed for honor, but the one for dishonor? And what if God, desiring to display the wrath and to make known His power, bore with much patience vessels of wrath, having been fitted for destruction, so that He might also make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He called not only out from Jews, but also out from Gentiles? As He also says in Hosea: “I will call that which is not My people ‘My People,’ and her not beloved ‘Beloved,’” 9.25 Hosea 2:23 and, “It will be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘You⁺ are not My people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” 9.26 Hosea 1:10 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel may be like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. For the Lord will execute His word, finishing and accomplishing swiftly upon the earth.” 9.28 Isaiah 10:22–23 (see also LXX) And, as Isaiah forewarned: “Unless the Lord of Hosts had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah.”9.29 Or the Lord of Armies or the Lord of the Saboath 9.29 Isaiah 1:9 (see also LXX) Israel’s Unbelief What then will we say? That the Gentiles, not pursuing righteousness, obtained righteousness—and righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not attain to that law.9.31 BYZ and TR did not attain a law of righteousness Why? Because it was not by faith, but as by works. They stumbled9.32 BYZ and TR by works of the law. For they stumbled. over the stone of stumbling, as it has been written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one believing on Him will not be put to shame.”9.33 Isaiah 8:14 9.33 Isaiah 28:16 (see also LXX) The Word Brings Salvation (Isaiah 65:1–16) Brothers, indeed the good pleasure of my heart and my supplication to God on behalf of them is for salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of the righteousness of God and seeking to establish their own righteousness,10.3 SBL and WH to establish their own they did not submit to the righteousness of God. For the end of law is Christ, unto righteousness to everyone believing. For Moses writes of the righteousness that is of the law, that, “The man having done these things will live in them.” 10.5 Leviticus 18:5; see also Ezekiel 20:11, 13, and 21. But the righteousness of faith speaks thus: “You should not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring down Christ), 10.6 Deuteronomy 30:12 or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’ (that is, to bring up Christ out from the dead).” 10.7 See Deuteronomy 30:13. But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith that we proclaim, 10.8 Deuteronomy 30:14 that if you confess10.9 WH confess the word with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him out from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Everyone believing on Him will not be put to shame.” 10.11 Isaiah 28:16 (see also LXX) For there is no difference between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord of all is rich to all those calling upon Him, for, “Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” 10.13 Joel 2:32 How then can they call upon One in whom they did not believe? And how can they believe in One of whom they did not hear? And how can they hear apart from one preaching? And how can they preach unless they can be sent? As it has been written: “How beautiful are the feet of those proclaiming good news of good things!” 10.15 BYZ and TR How beautiful are the feet of those proclaiming good news of peace, proclaiming good news of good things; Isaiah 52:7 But not all heeded the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 10.16 Isaiah 53:1 So faith is by hearing, and hearing is through the word of Christ.10.17 BYZ and TR the word of God But I say, did they not hear? Indeed: “Their voice went out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 10.18 Psalm 19:4 (see also LXX) But I say, did Israel not know? First, Moses says: “I will provoke you⁺ to jealousy by those not a nation; I will provoke you⁺ to anger by a nation without understanding.” 10.19 Deuteronomy 32:21 (see also LXX) And Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those not seeking Me; I made Myself manifest to those not inquiring after Me.” 10.20 Isaiah 65:1 But to Israel he says: “All the day I stretched out My hands to a disobeying and contradicting people.” 10.21 Isaiah 65:2 (see also LXX) A Remnant Chosen by Grace I say then, did God thrust away His people? Never may it be! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God did not thrust away His people, whom He foreknew. Or do you⁺ not know what the Scripture says in Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel:11.2 BYZ and TR include saying. “Lord, they killed Your prophets, they tore down Your altars, and I alone was left, and they seek my life”? 11.3 1 Kings 19:10, 14 But what does the divine answer say to him? “I left to Myself seven thousand men, who did not bow the knee to Baal.” 11.4 1 Kings 19:18 So then also in the present time, there has been a remnant according to the election of grace, and if by grace, no longer out of works; otherwise grace no longer is grace.11.6 BYZ and TR include But if it is by works, then it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. What then? What Israel seeks after, this it did not obtain, but the elect obtained it. And the rest were hardened, as it has been written: God gave “them a spirit of stupor, eyes not to see, and ears not to hear, unto this very day.”11.8 See Deuteronomy 29:4 and Isaiah 29:10. And David says: May their table “become for a snare and for a trap, and for a stumbling block and for a retribution to them. May their eyes be darkened not to see, and their backs bent over through all time.” 11.10 Psalm 69:22–23 (see also LXX) The Ingrafting of the Gentiles I say then, did they stumble so that they might fall?11.11 Or did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Never may it be! But in their trespass is salvation to the Gentiles, so as to provoke them to jealousy. But if their trespass is the riches of the world, and their failure is the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! Now I speak to you⁺, the Gentiles. Therefore indeed inasmuch I am an apostle of the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry, if somehow I will provoke my own flesh to jealousy and will save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will be the acceptance if not life out from the dead? Now if the firstfruit is holy, also is the lump; and if the root is holy, also are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them and became a fellow partaker of the fatness of the root of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. But if you boast over them, you do not support the root, but the root you. You will say, then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Rightly so: They were broken off by unbelief, but you have stood by faith. Do not be high-minded, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps He will not spare you.11.21 SBL, NE, TH, and WH neither will He spare you Behold, therefore, the kindness and severity of God: severity indeed upon those having fallen, but kindness of God upon you, if you continue in the kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And even those, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut off out of the naturally wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural, be grafted into their own olive tree! All Israel Will Be Saved For I do not want you⁺ to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you⁺ may not be wise in yourselves: A hardening in part has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles may come in. And thus all Israel will be saved, as it has been written: “The Delivering One will come out of Zion; He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. And this is the covenant from Me to them, when I may take away their sins.” 11.27 Isaiah 27:9 and Isaiah 59:20–21; see also LXX For regarding the gospel, they are enemies on account of you⁺; but as regards election, beloved on account of the fathers. For the gracious gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For as you⁺11.30 BYZ and TR include also. once disobeyed God, but now received mercy by the disobedience of these, so these also now disobeyed so that through your⁺ mercy they also may now receive mercy.11.31 BYZ and TR they also may receive mercy For God closed up all in disobedience so that He may have mercy on all. A Hymn of Praise (Isaiah 40:9–31) O, the depth of riches, both of wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways! “For who knew the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?” 11.34 Isaiah 40:13 (see also LXX) Or “who first gave to Him, and it will be given back to him?” 11.35 Job 41:11 For from Him and through Him and unto Him are all things. To Him be the glory to the ages! Amen. Living Sacrifices (1 Corinthians 3:16–23; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20) Therefore I exhort you⁺, brothers, through the compassions of God, to present your⁺ bodies as a living sacrifice, holy to God, well-pleasing, which is your⁺ reasonable service.12.1 Or your reasonable service And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for you⁺ to discern what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God. For through the grace having been given to me, I say to everyone being among you⁺ not to be high-minded above what it is necessary to think, but to think so as to be sound-minded, as God allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, the many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. And we are having different gifts according to the grace having been given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; and if service, in the service; and if teaching, in the teaching; and if exhorting, in the exhortation; giving, in generosity; leading, in diligence; showing mercy, in cheerfulness. Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality (John 13:31–35; 1 John 3:11–24) Let love be unfeigned: abhorring evil, cleaving to good, devoted to one another in brotherly love, esteeming one another in honor, not slothful in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, enduring in tribulation, persisting in prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality. Forgiveness (Matthew 18:21–35) Bless those persecuting you⁺; bless and do not curse, to rejoice with the rejoicing, to weep with the weeping, minding the same thing toward one another, not minding the high things, but going along with the lowly. Do not be wise in yourselves, repaying to no one evil for evil, giving forethought to right things before all men; if possible of you⁺, being at peace with all men; not avenging yourselves, beloved; but give place to wrath, for it has been written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 12.19 Deuteronomy 32:35 (see also LXX) Rather, “If your enemy should hunger, feed him; if he should thirst, give him a drink; for doing this, you will heap coals of fire upon his head.”12.20 BYZ and TR Therefore 12.20 Proverbs 25:21–22 (see also LXX) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil in good. Submission to Authorities (1 Peter 2:13–20) Let every soul be subject to the authorities being above him. For there is no authority except by God; but those existing are appointed by God. Therefore the one setting himself against the authority has resisted the ordinance of God, and those having resisted will receive judgment to themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Now do you want not to fear the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from him. For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is God’s servant, an avenger for wrath to the one practicing evil. Therefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of wrath, but also because of the conscience. For because of this, you⁺ also pay taxes; for they are ministers of God, attending continually to this very thing. Pay13.7 BYZ and TR include Therefore pay. to all their dues: tax to whom tax, revenue to whom revenue, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Love Fulfills the Law (Leviticus 19:9–18) Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one loving the other has fulfilled the law. For, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and if any other commandment, it is summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”13.9 Exodus 20:13–17; Deuteronomy 5:17–21 13.9 Leviticus 19:18 Love works no evil to the neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. The Day Is Near And do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you⁺13.11 BYZ and TR for us to be awakened out of sleep; for our salvation is nearer now than when we came to believe. The night is advanced, and the day has drawn near; therefore let us lay aside13.12 SBL cast aside the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on13.14 Or clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and make no forethought for the desires of the flesh. The Law of Liberty (Matthew 7:1–6; Luke 6:37–42) And receive the one being weak in the faith, not for passing judgment on reasonings.14.1 Or without passing judgment on his opinions Indeed, one believes to eat all things, but the one being weak eats vegetables. The one eating, let him not despise the one not eating; and the one not eating, let him not judge the one eating, for God received him. Who are you, judging another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will be made to stand, for the Lord14.4 BYZ and TR for God is able to make him stand. For indeed, one judges a day above a day, but one judges every day alike. Let each be fully assured in his own mind. The one regarding the day regards it to the Lord;14.6 BYZ and TR include the one who does not regard the day, to the Lord he does not regard it; the one eating eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and the one not eating does not eat to the Lord, and he gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. For both if we should live, we live to the Lord, and if we should die, we die to the Lord. Therefore both if we should live and if we should die, we are the Lord’s. For unto this Christ died14.9 BYZ and TR include and rose again. and lived again, so that He might be Lord over both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why also do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.14.10 BYZ and TR of Christ For it has been written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will confess to God.” 14.11 Or will give praise to God or will acknowledge God; Isaiah 45:23 (see also LXX) So then, each of us will give account concerning himself to God.14.12 SBL does not include to God. The Law of Love (Ezekiel 14:1–11; 1 Corinthians 8:1–13) May we no longer, therefore, judge one another; but rather you⁺ decide this, not to put a stumbling block or obstacle before a brother. I know and I am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean of itself, except to him reckoning anything to be unclean, to that one it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is grieved, no longer do you walk according to love. Do not destroy with your food that one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your⁺ good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For the one serving Christ in this14.18 BYZ and TR in these things is well-pleasing to God and approved by men. So then, may we pursue the things of peace, and the things of building up one another. Do not demolish the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but it is evil to the man eating through a stumbling block. It is good neither to eat meat nor to drink wine nor anything in which your brother stumbles.14.21 SBL, BYZ, and TR include or is led into sin or is weakened. The faith that you have, have it to yourself before God.14.22 Or Keep your belief about such matters between yourself and God Blessed is the one not judging himself in what he approves. But the one doubting has been condemned if he eats, because it is not of faith; and everything that is not of faith is sin. 14.23 Some manuscripts place the text of Romans 16:25–27 here. Accept One Another Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the powerless and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please the neighbor unto good, for building up. For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it has been written: “The reproaches of those reproaching You fell on Me.” 15.3 Psalm 69:9 For as much as15.4 BYZ and TR For what was written before was all written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have the hope. Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you⁺ to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord, with one mouth, you⁺ may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ the Servant of Jews and Gentiles Therefore receive one another as Christ also received you⁺,15.7 ALT, F35, TR, and WH us to the glory of God. For15.8 BYZ and TR And I say that Christ15.8 BYZ Christ Jesus; TR Jesus Christ has become a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, in order to confirm the promises to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for mercy, as it has been written: “Because of this I will praise You among the Gentiles, and I will sing praises to Your name.”15.9 GOC and F35 include O Lord. 15.9 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49 And again it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” 15.10 Deuteronomy 32:43 And again: “Praise the Lord, all the Gentiles, and extol Him, all the peoples.” 15.11 Psalm 117:1 And again, Isaiah says: “There will be the root of Jesse, and the One arising to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will hope.” 15.12 Isaiah 11:10 (see also LXX) And may the God of hope fill you⁺ with all joy and peace in believing, for you⁺ to abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul the Minister to the Gentiles And I myself also am persuaded concerning you⁺, my brothers, that you yourselves are also full of goodness, being filled with all knowledge, and being able to admonish one another.15.14 BYZ to admonish others But I wrote to you⁺15.15 BYZ and TR include brothers. more boldly in part, as reminding you⁺, because of the grace having been given to me by God for me to be a minister of Christ Jesus15.16 BYZ and TR of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, serving as a priest in the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, having been sanctified in the Holy Spirit. Therefore I have ground for boasting in Christ Jesus in the things pertaining to God. For I will not dare to speak of anything that Christ did not work through me for the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God,15.19 SBL the power of the Spirit; NE and WH the power of the Holy Spirit so as for me, from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum, to have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ, and thus striving earnestly to preach the gospel where Christ was not named, so that I might not build upon another’s foundation. But as it has been written: “They will see, to whom it was not announced concerning Him; and those who have not heard will understand.” 15.21 Isaiah 52:15 (see also LXX) Therefore also I was being himdered many times from coming to you⁺. Paul’s Travel Plans (1 Corinthians 16:5–9) But now, no longer having a place in these regions, and having a great desire for many years to come to you⁺, as I may go to Spain, I hope,15.24 BYZ and TR include to come. for going through, to see you⁺ and to be sent forth there by you⁺, if first I should be filled up of you⁺ in part. But now I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make some contribution for the poor of the saints who are in Jerusalem. For they were pleased, and they are debtors of them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in the fleshly things. Therefore, having completed this, and having sealed this fruit to them, I will depart through you⁺ to Spain. And I know that coming to you⁺ I will come in the fullness of the blessing15.29 TR and BYZ include of the gospel. of Christ. Now I exhort you⁺, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in the prayers for me to God, so that I may be delivered from the unbelieving ones in Judea, and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that having come to you⁺ in joy, through the will of God I may be refreshed together with you⁺. Now the God of peace be with all of you⁺. Amen. 15.33 Some manuscripts do not include Amen. One early manuscript places the text of Romans 16:25–27 here. Personal Greetings and Love Now I commend to you⁺ Phoebe our sister, being also a servant16.1 Or deaconess of the church in Cenchrea, so that you⁺ might receive her in the Lord worthily of the saints, and you⁺ might assist her in whatever matter she may need of you⁺. For she also has been a patroness of many, and of myself. Greet Prisca16.3 Prisca is a variant of Priscilla; see Acts 18:2. and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus— who laid down their own neck for my life, whom not only I thank, but also all the churches of the Gentiles— and the church at their house. Greet Epenetus, my beloved, who is the firstfruit of Asia16.5 BYZ and TR Achaia for Christ. Greet Mary, who toiled much for you⁺.16.6 BYZ and TR for us Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles and who were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus,16.8 BYZ and TR Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those of the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus being in the Lord. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those toiling in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who toiled much in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas,16.14 BYZ and TR Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes and the brothers with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches16.16 BYZ and TR The churches of Christ greet you⁺. Avoid Divisions (Titus 3:9–11) Now I exhort you⁺, brothers, to watch out for those causing divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you⁺ learned, and turn away from them. For such do not serve our Lord Christ,16.18 BYZ and TR our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly; and through smooth talk and blessing they deceive the hearts of the innocent. For your⁺ obedience has reached to all. Therefore I rejoice over you⁺. But I want you⁺ to be wise16.19 BYZ and TR include indeed. to good, and innocent to evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your⁺ feet in quickness. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ16.20 NA, NE, and WH of our Lord Jesus be with you⁺.16.20 Scrivener TR includes Amen. Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers (Colossians 4:7–14) Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you⁺; so also Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I, Tertius, the one having written the letter, greet you⁺ in the Lord. Gaius, the host of me and of the whole church, greets you⁺. Erastus the steward of the city greets you⁺; so also Quartus the brother.16.23 SBL, BYZ, and TR include 24The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen. Doxology (Jude 1:24–25) Now to Him being able to strengthen you⁺ according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery having been kept silent in the times of the ages, but now having been made manifest also through the prophetic writings, according to the commandment of the eternal God having been made known to all the Gentiles unto obedience of faith16.26 Or the obedience that comes from faith— to the only wise God be the glory unto the ages of the ages, which is through Jesus Christ! Amen.16.27 Some manuscripts place the text of verses 25–27 after Romans 14:23 or after Romans 15:33.