Give Satan an inch and he'll be a ruler.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans

{1:1} Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle,separated unto the gospel of God, {1:2} which he promised afore throughhis prophets in the holy scriptures, {1:3} concerning his Son, who wasborn of the seed of David according to the flesh, {1:4} who wasdeclared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit ofholiness, by the resurrection from the dead; [even] Jesus Christ ourLord, {1:5} through whom we received grace and apostleship, untoobedience of faith among all the nations, for his name’s sake; {1:6}among whom are ye also called [to be] Jesus Christ’s: {1:7} To all thatare in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you andpeace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. {1:8} First, Ithank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith isproclaimed throughout the whole world. {1:9} For God is my witness,whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly Imake mention of you, always in my prayers {1:10} making request, if byany means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to comeunto you. {1:11} For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you somespiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; {1:12} that is, thatI with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other’s faith,both yours and mine. {1:13} And I would not have you ignorant,brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hinderedhitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in therest of the Gentiles. {1:14} I am debtor both to Greeks and toBarbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. {1:15} So, as much asin me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome.{1:16} For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of Godunto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and alsoto the Greek. {1:17} For therein is revealed a righteousness of Godfrom faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall liveby faith. {1:18} For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven againstall ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth inunrighteousness; {1:19} because that which is known of God is manifestin them; for God manifested it unto them. {1:20} For the invisiblethings of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, beingperceived through the things that are made, [even] his everlastingpower and divinity; that they may be without excuse: {1:21} becausethat, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks;but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart wasdarkened. {1:22} Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,{1:23} and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likenessof an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts,and creeping things. {1:24} Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts oftheir hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonoredamong themselves: {1:25} for that they exchanged the truth of God for alie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator,who is blessed for ever. Amen. {1:26} For this cause God gave them upunto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into thatwhich is against nature: {1:27} and likewise also the men, leaving thenatural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, menwith men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves thatrecompense of their error which was due. {1:28} And even as theyrefused to have God in [their] knowledge, God gave them up unto areprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; {1:29} beingfilled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness,maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity;whisperers, {1:30} backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty,boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, {1:31}without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection,unmerciful: {1:32} who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they thatpractise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, butalso consent with them that practise them.

{2:1} Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou artthat judgest: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemnest thyself;for thou that judgest dost practise the same things. {2:2} And we knowthat the judgment of God is according to truth against them thatpractise such things. {2:3} And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgestthem that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shaltescape the judgment of God? {2:4} Or despisest thou the riches of hisgoodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that thegoodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? {2:5} but after thyhardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in theday of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; {2:6} whowill render to every man according to his works: {2:7} to them that bypatience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption,eternal life: {2:8} but unto them that are factious, and obey not thetruth, but obey unrighteousness, [shall be] wrath and indignation,{2:9} tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that workethevil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; {2:10} but glory andhonor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, andalso to the Greek: {2:11} for there is no respect of persons with God.{2:12} For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish withoutthe law: and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged bythe law; {2:13} for not the hearers of the law are just before God, butthe doers of the law shall be justified: {2:14} (for when Gentiles thathave not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not havingthe law, are the law unto themselves; {2:15} in that they show the workof the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witnesstherewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or elseexcusing [them]); {2:16} in the day when God shall judge the secrets ofmen, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ. {2:17} But if thoubearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest inGod, {2:18} and knowest his will, and approvest the things that areexcellent, being instructed out of the law, {2:19} and art confidentthat thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are indarkness, {2:20} a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, havingin the law the form of knowledge and of the truth; {2:21} thoutherefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou thatpreachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? {2:22} thou thatsayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery?thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob temples? {2:23} thou whogloriest in the law, through thy transgression of the law dishonorestthou God? {2:24} For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentilesbecause of you, even as it is written. {2:25} For circumcision indeedprofiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressorof the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision. {2:26} Iftherefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall nothis uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision? {2:27} and shall notthe uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judgethee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of thelaw? {2:28} For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is thatcircumcision which is outward in the flesh: {2:29} but he is a Jew whois one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spiritnot in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

{3:1} What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit ofcircumcision? {3:2} Much every way: first of all, that they wereintrusted with the oracles of God. {3:3} For what if some were withoutfaith? shall their want of faith make of none effect the faithfulnessof God? {3:4} God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man aliar; as it is written,
That thou mightest be justified in thy words,And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.

{3:5} But if our righteousness commendeth the righteousness of God,what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visiteth with wrath? (I speakafter the manner of men.) {3:6} God forbid: for then how shall Godjudge the world? {3:7} But if the truth of God through my lie aboundedunto his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? {3:8} and whynot (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say),Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just. {3:9}What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we before laidto the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin;{3:10} as it is written,
There is none righteous, no, not one;
{3:11} There is none that understandeth,There is none that seeketh after God;
{3:12} They have all turned aside, they are together become

unprofitable;
There is none that doeth good, no, not, so much as one:{3:13} Their throat is an open sepulchre;With their tongues they have used deceit:The poison of asps is under their lips:{3:14} Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:{3:15} Their feet are swift to shed blood;{3:16} Destruction and misery are in their ways;{3:17} And the way of peace have they not known:{3:18} There is no fear of God before their eyes.

{3:19} Now we know that what things soever the law saith, itspeaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may bestopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:{3:20} because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified inhis sight; for through the law [cometh] the knowledge of sin. {3:21}But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested,being witnessed by the law and the prophets; {3:22} even therighteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them thatbelieve; for there is no distinction; {3:23} for all have sinned, andfall short of the glory of God; {3:24} being justified freely by hisgrace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: {3:25} whom Godset forth [to be] a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to showhis righteousness because of the passing over of the sins doneaforetime, in the forbearance of God; {3:26} for the showing, [I say],of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself bejust, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus. {3:27} Wherethen is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works?Nay: but by a law of faith. {3:28} We reckon therefore that a man isjustified by faith apart from the works of the law. {3:29} Or is God[the God] of Jews only? is he not [the God] of Gentiles also? Yea, ofGentiles also: {3:30} if so be that God is one, and he shall justifythe circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith. {3:31}Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay,we establish the law.

{4:1} What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hathfound according to the flesh? {4:2} For if Abraham was justified byworks, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God. {4:3} For whatsaith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned untohim for righteousness. {4:4} Now to him that worketh, the reward is notreckoned as of grace, but as of debt. {4:5} But to him that workethnot, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith isreckoned for righteousness. {4:6} Even as David also pronouncethblessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart fromworks, {4:7} [saying],
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,And whose sins are covered.
{4:8} Blessed is the man to whom, the Lord will not reckon sin.

{4:9} Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, orupon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith wasreckoned for righteousness. {4:10} How then was it reckoned? when hewas in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but inuncircumcision: {4:11} and he received the sign of circumcision, a sealof the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was inuncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe,though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckonedunto them; {4:12} and the father of circumcision to them who not onlyare of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faithof our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision. {4:13} For notthrough the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that heshould be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.{4:14} For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void,and the promise is made of none effect: {4:15} for the law workethwrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.{4:16} For this cause [it is] of faith, that [it may be] according tograce; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed; not tothat only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faithof Abraham, who is the father of us all {4:17} (as it is written, Afather of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed,[even] God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things thatare not, as though they were. {4:18} Who in hope believed against hope,to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according tothat which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be. {4:19} And withoutbeing weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead(he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;{4:20} yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not throughunbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, {4:21}and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also toperform. {4:22} Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him forrighteousness. {4:23} Now it was not written for his sake alone, thatit was reckoned unto him; {4:24} but for our sake also, unto whom itshall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord fromthe dead, {4:25} who was delivered up for our trespasses, and wasraised for our justification.

{5:1} Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ; {5:2} through whom also we have had ouraccess by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice inhope of the glory of God. {5:3} And not only so, but we also rejoice inour tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; {5:4}and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: {5:5} and hopeputteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad inour hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us. {5:6} Forwhile we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly.{5:7} For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventurefor the good man some one would even dare to die. {5:8} But Godcommendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,Christ died for us. {5:9} Much more then, being now justified by hisblood, shall we be saved from the wrath [of God] through him. {5:10}For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through thedeath of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by hislife; {5:11} and not only so, but we also rejoice in God through ourLord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received thereconciliation. {5:12} Therefore, as through one man sin entered intothe world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, forthat all sinned:– {5:13} for until the law sin was in the world; butsin is not imputed when there is no law. {5:14} Nevertheless deathreigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned afterthe likeness of Adam’s transgression, who is a figure of him that wasto come. {5:15} But not as the trespass, so also [is] the free gift.For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did thegrace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,abound unto the many. {5:16} And not as through one that sinned, [so]is the gift: for the judgment [came] of one unto condemnation, but thefree gift [came] of many trespasses unto justification. {5:17} For if,by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much moreshall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift ofrighteousness reign in life through the one, [even] Jesus Christ.{5:18} So then as through one trespass [the judgment came] unto all mento condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness [the freegift came] unto all men to justification of life. {5:19} For as throughthe one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so throughthe obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous. {5:20} Andthe law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sinabounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: {5:21} that, as sinreigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness untoeternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

{6:1} What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that gracemay abound? {6:2} God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we anylonger live therein? {6:3} Or are ye ignorant that all we who werebaptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? {6:4} We wereburied therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like asChrist was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so wealso might walk in newness of life. {6:5} For if we have become unitedwith [him] in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in thelikeness] of his resurrection; {6:6} knowing this, that our old man wascrucified with [him], that the body of sin might be done away, that sowe should no longer be in bondage to sin; {6:7} for he that hath diedis justified from sin. {6:8} But if we died with Christ, we believethat we shall also live with him; {6:9} knowing that Christ beingraised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion overhim. {6:10} For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but thelife that he liveth, he liveth unto God. {6:11} Even so reckon ye alsoyourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.{6:12} Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye shouldobey the lusts thereof: {6:13} neither present your members unto sin[as] instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God,as alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments ofrighteousness unto God. {6:14} For sin shall not have dominion overyou: for ye are not under law, but under grace. {6:15} What then? shallwe sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid.{6:16} Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves [as] servantsunto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin untodeath, or of obedience unto righteousness? {6:17} But thanks be to God,that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from theheart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; {6:18} andbeing made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. {6:19} Ispeak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh:for as ye presented your members [as] servants to uncleanness and toiniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members [as] servantsto righteousness unto sanctification. {6:20} For when ye were servantsof sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness. {6:21} What fruit thenhad ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for theend of those things is death. {6:22} But now being made free from sinand become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, andthe end eternal life. {6:23} For the wages of sin is death; but thefree gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

{7:1} Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to men who know thelaw), that the law hath dominion over a man for so long time as heliveth? {7:2} For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law to thehusband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged fromthe law of the husband. {7:3} So then if, while the husband liveth, shebe joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if thehusband die, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress,though she be joined to another man. {7:4} Wherefore, my brethren, yealso were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that yeshould be joined to another, [even] to him who was raised from thedead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God. {7:5} For when we werein the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wroughtin our members to bring forth fruit unto death. {7:6} But now we havebeen discharged from the law, having died to that wherein we were held;so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of theletter. {7:7} What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid.Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had notknown coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet: {7:8}but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment allmanner of coveting: for apart from the law sin [is] dead. {7:9} And Iwas alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sinrevived, and I died; {7:10} and the commandment, which [was] unto life,this I found [to be] unto death: {7:11} for sin, finding occasion,through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me. {7:12} Sothat the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, andgood. {7:13} Did then that which is good become death unto me? Godforbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death tome through that which is good; –that through the commandment sin mightbecome exceeding sinful. {7:14} For we know that the law is spiritual:but I am carnal, sold under sin. {7:15} For that which I do I know not:for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do.{7:16} But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law thatit is good. {7:17} So now it is no more I that do it, but sin whichdwelleth in me. {7:18} For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh,dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do thatwhich is good [is] not. {7:19} For the good which I would I do not: butthe evil which I would not, that I practise. {7:20} But if what I wouldnot, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth inme. {7:21} I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil ispresent. {7:22} For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:{7:23} but I see a different law in my members, warring against the lawof my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin whichis in my members. {7:24} Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver meout of the body of this death? {7:25} I thank God through Jesus Christour Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law ofGod; but with the flesh the law of sin.

{8:1} There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are inChrist Jesus. {8:2} For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesusmade me free from the law of sin and of death. {8:3} For what the lawcould not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending hisown Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin inthe flesh: {8:4} that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled inus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. {8:5} For theythat are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they thatare after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. {8:6} For the mind ofthe flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: {8:7}because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is notsubject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: {8:8} and theythat are in the flesh cannot please God. {8:9} But ye are not in theflesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth inyou. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.{8:10} And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; butthe spirit is life because of righteousness. {8:11} But if the Spiritof him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he thatraised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to yourmortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you. {8:12} So then,brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:{8:13} for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by theSpirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. {8:14} Foras many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. {8:15}For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but yereceived the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. {8:16}The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we arechildren of God: {8:17} and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, andjoint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that wemay be also glorified with [him]. {8:18} For I reckon that thesufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with theglory which shall be revealed to us-ward. {8:19} For the earnestexpectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons ofGod. {8:20} For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its ownwill, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope {8:21} that thecreation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruptioninto the liberty of the glory of the children of God. {8:22} For weknow that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain togetheruntil now. {8:23} And not only so, but ourselves also, who have thefirst-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves,waiting for [our] adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.{8:24} For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope:for who hopeth for that which he seeth? {8:25} But if we hope for thatwhich we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for it. {8:26} And inlike manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not howto pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for[us] with groanings which cannot be uttered; {8:27} and he thatsearcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because hemaketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.{8:28} And we know that to them that love God all things work togetherfor good, [even] to them that are called according to [his] purpose.{8:29} For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed tothe image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among manybrethren: {8:30} and whom he foreordained, them he also called: andwhom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them healso glorified. {8:31} What then shall we say to these things? If God[is] for us, who [is] against us? {8:32} He that spared not his ownSon, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with himfreely give us all things? {8:33} Who shall lay anything to the chargeof God’s elect? It is God that justifieth; {8:34} who is he thatcondemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raisedfrom the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makethintercession for us. {8:35} Who shall separate us from the love ofChrist? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, ornakedness, or peril, or sword? {8:36} Even as it is written, For thysake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for theslaughter. {8:37} Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough him that loved us. {8:38} For I am persuaded, that neitherdeath, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present,nor things to come, nor powers, {8:39} nor height, nor depth, nor anyother creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

{9:1} I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearingwitness with me in the Holy Spirit, {9:2} that I have great sorrow andunceasing pain in my heart. {9:3} For I could wish that I myself wereanathema from Christ for my brethren’s sake, my kinsmen according tothe flesh: {9:4} who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and theglory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service[of God], and the promises; {9:5} whose are the fathers, and of whom isChrist as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever.Amen. {9:6} But [it is] not as though the word of God hath come tonought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: {9:7} neither,because they are Abraham’s seed, are they all children: but, In Isaacshall thy seed be called. {9:8} That is, it is not the children of theflesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise arereckoned for a seed. {9:9} For this is a word of promise, According tothis season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. {9:10} And notonly so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our fatherIsaac– {9:11} for [the children] being not yet born, neither havingdone anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according toelection might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, {9:12} itwas said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. {9:13} Even as itis written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. {9:14} What shall we saythen? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. {9:15} For hesaith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will havecompassion on whom I have compassion. {9:16} So then it is not of himthat willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy.{9:17} For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose didI raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my namemight be published abroad in all the earth. {9:18} So then he hathmercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth. {9:19} Thou wiltsay then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandethhis will? {9:20} Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest againstGod? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thoumake me thus? {9:21} Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, fromthe same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another untodishonor? {9:22} What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to makehis power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrathfitted unto destruction: {9:23} and that he might make known the richesof his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,{9:24} [even] us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but alsofrom the Gentiles? {9:25} As he saith also in Hosea,I will call that my people, which was not my people;And her beloved, that was not beloved.
{9:26} And it shall be, [that] in the place where it was said unto

them, Ye are not my people,
There shall they be called sons of the living God.

{9:27} And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of thechildren of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant thatshall be saved: {9:28} for the Lord will execute [his] word upon theearth, finishing it and cutting it short. {9:29} And, as Isaiah hathsaid before,
Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed,We had become as Sodom, and had been made like unto Gomorrah.

{9:30} What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed notafter righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousnesswhich is of faith: {9:31} but Israel, following after a law ofrighteousness, did not arrive at [that] law. {9:32} Wherefore? Because[they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbledat the stone of stumbling; {9:33} even as it is written,Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence:And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

{10:1} Brethren, my heart’s desire and my supplication to God is forthem, that they may be saved. {10:2} For I bear them witness that theyhave a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. {10:3} For beingignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own,they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. {10:4} ForChrist is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one thatbelieveth. {10:5} For Moses writeth that the man that doeth therighteousness which is of the law shall live thereby. {10:6} But therighteousness which is of faith saith thus, Say not in thy heart, Whoshall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down:) {10:7} or,Who shall descend into the abyss? (That is, to bring Christ up from thedead.) {10:8} But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth,and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: {10:9}because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus [as] Lord, and shaltbelieve in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt besaved: {10:10} for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; andwith the mouth confession is made unto salvation. {10:11} For thescripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame.{10:12} For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same[Lord] is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: {10:13}for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.{10:14} How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and howshall they hear without a preacher? {10:15} and how shall they preach,except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feetof them that bring glad tidings of good things! {10:16} But they didnot all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hathbelieved our report? {10:17} So belief [cometh] of hearing, and hearingby the word of Christ. {10:18} But I say, Did they not hear? Yea,verily,
Their sound went out into all the earth,And their words unto the ends of the world.

{10:19} But I say, Did Israel not know? First Moses saith,I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation,With a nation void of understanding will I anger you.

{10:20} And Isaiah is very bold, and saith,I was found of them that sought me not;I became manifest unto them that asked not of me.

{10:21} But as to Israel he saith, All the day long did I spread outmy hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

{11:1} I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For Ialso am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.{11:2} God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know yenot what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with Godagainst Israel: {11:3} Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they havedigged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.{11:4} But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left formyself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. {11:5}Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according tothe election of grace. {11:6} But if it is by grace, it is no more ofworks: otherwise grace is no more grace. {11:7} What then? that whichIsrael seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it,and the rest were hardened: {11:8} according as it is written, God gavethem a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears thatthey should not hear, unto this very day. {11:9} And David saith,Let their table be made a snare, and a trap,And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:{11:10} Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see,And bow thou down their back always.

{11:11} I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? Godforbid: but by their fall salvation [is come] unto the Gentiles, toprovoke them to jealousy. {11:12} Now if their fall, is the riches ofthe world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much moretheir fulness? {11:13} But I speak to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuchthen as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I glorify my ministry; {11:14} ifby any means I may provoke to jealousy [them that are] my flesh, andmay save some of them. {11:15} For if the casting away of them [is] thereconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], butlife from the dead? {11:16} And if the firstfruit is holy, so is thelump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. {11:17} But if someof the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wastgrafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the rootof the fatness of the olive tree; {11:18} glory not over the branches:but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but theroot thee. {11:19} Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that Imight be grafted in. {11:20} Well; by their unbelief they were brokenoff, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear:{11:21} for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will hespare thee. {11:22} Behold then the goodness and severity of God:toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God’s goodness, ifthou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.{11:23} And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall begrafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. {11:24} For if thouwast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wastgrafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shallthese, which are the natural [branches], be grafted into their ownolive tree? {11:25} For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant ofthis mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening inpart hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be comein; {11:26} and so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written,There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer;He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:{11:27} And this is my covenant unto them,When I shall take away their sins.

{11:28} As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: butas touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.{11:29} For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of.{11:30} For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now haveobtained mercy by their disobedience, {11:31} even so have these alsonow been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may nowobtain mercy. {11:32} For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, thathe might have mercy upon all. {11:33} O the depth of the riches both ofthe wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are hisjudgments, and his ways past tracing out! {11:34} For who hath knownthe mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? {11:35} or whohath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?{11:36} For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. Tohim [be] the glory for ever. Amen.

{12:1} I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, topresent your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [whichis] your spiritual service. {12:2} And be not fashioned according tothis world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and yemay prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.{12:3} For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every manthat is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought tothink; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt toeach man a measure of faith. {12:4} For even as we have many members inone body, and all the members have not the same office: {12:5} so we,who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one ofanother. {12:6} And having gifts differing according to the grace thatwas given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to theproportion of our faith; {12:7} or ministry, [let us give ourselves] toour ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; {12:8} or he thatexhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, [let him do it] withliberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, withcheerfulness. {12:9} Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which isevil; cleave to that which is good. {12:10} In love of the brethren betenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;{12:11} in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;{12:12} rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuingstedfastly in prayer; {12:13} communicating to the necessities of thesaints; given to hospitality. {12:14} Bless them that persecute you;bless, and curse not. {12:15} Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep withthem that weep. {12:16} Be of the same mind one toward another. Set notyour mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Benot wise in your own conceits. {12:17} Render to no man evil for evil.Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. {12:18} Ifit be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.{12:19} Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath[of God]: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I willrecompense, saith the Lord. {12:20} But if thine enemy hunger, feedhim; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heapcoals of fire upon his head. {12:21} Be not overcome of evil, butovercome evil with good.

{13:1} Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: forthere is no power but of God; and the [powers] that be are ordained ofGod. {13:2} Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth theordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselvesjudgment. {13:3} For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but tothe evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which isgood, and thou shalt have praise from the same: {13:4} for he is aminister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, beafraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister ofGod, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. {13:5} Wherefore [ye]must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but alsofor conscience’ sake. {13:6} For this cause ye pay tribute also; forthey are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon thisvery thing. {13:7} Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute[is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whomhonor. {13:8} Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for hethat loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. {13:9} For this, Thoushalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal,Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it issummed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor asthyself. {13:10} Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore isthe fulfilment of the law. {13:11} And this, knowing the season, thatalready it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvationnearer to us than when we [first] believed. {13:12} The night is farspent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works ofdarkness, and let us put on the armor of light. {13:13} Let us walkbecomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not inchambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. {13:14} But putye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to[fulfil] the lusts [thereof].

{14:1} But him that is weak in faith receive ye, [yet] not fordecision of scruples. {14:2} One man hath faith to eat all things: buthe that is weak eateth herbs. {14:3} Let not him that eateth set atnought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge himthat eateth: for God hath received him. {14:4} Who art thou thatjudgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth.Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make himstand. {14:5} One man esteemeth one day above another: anotheresteemeth every day [alike]. Let each man be fully assured in his ownmind. {14:6} He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: andhe that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and hethat eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.{14:7} For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself.{14:8} For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die,we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are theLord’s. {14:9} For to this end Christ died and lived [again], that hemight be Lord of both the dead and the living. {14:10} But thou, whydost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at noughtthy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God.{14:11} For it is written,
As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow,And every tongue shall confess to God.

{14:12} So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.{14:13} Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge yethis rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, oran occasion of falling. {14:14} I know, and am persuaded in the LordJesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him whoaccounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. {14:15} For ifbecause of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love.Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died. {14:16} Let notthen your good be evil spoken of: {14:17} for the kingdom of God is noteating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the HolySpirit. {14:18} For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing toGod, and approved of men. {14:19} So then let us follow after thingswhich make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.{14:20} Overthrow not for meat’s sake the work of God. All thingsindeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth withoffence. {14:21} It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor[to do anything] whereby thy brother stumbleth. {14:22} The faith whichthou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgethnot himself in that which he approveth. {14:23} But he that doubteth iscondemned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith; and whatsoeveris not of faith is sin.

{15:1} Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of theweak, and not to please ourselves. {15:2} Let each one of us please hisneighbor for that which is good, unto edifying. {15:3} For Christ alsopleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them thatreproached thee fell upon me. {15:4} For whatsoever things were writtenaforetime were written for our learning, that through patience andthrough comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. {15:5} Now theGod of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind onewith another according to Christ Jesus: {15:6} that with one accord yemay with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.{15:7} Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also receivedyou, to the glory of God. {15:8} For I say that Christ hath been made aminister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he mightconfirm the promises [given] unto the fathers, {15:9} and that theGentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written,Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the Gentiles,And sing unto thy name.

{15:10} And again he saith,
Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

{15:11} And again,
Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles;
And let all the peoples praise him.

{15:12} And again, Isaiah saith,
There shall be the root of Jesse,
And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles;On him shall the Gentiles hope.

{15:13} Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace inbelieving, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.{15:14} And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that yeyourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able alsoto admonish one another. {15:15} But I write the more boldly unto youin some measure, as putting you again in remembrance, because of thegrace that was given me of God, {15:16} that I should be a minister ofChrist Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that theoffering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctifiedby the Holy Spirit. {15:17} I have therefore my glorifying in ChristJesus in things pertaining to God. {15:18} For I will not dare to speakof any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for theobedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, {15:19} in the power ofsigns and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that fromJerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preachedthe gospel of Christ; {15:20} yea, making it my aim so to preach thegospel, not where Christ was [already] named, that I might not buildupon another man’s foundation; {15:21} but, as it is written,They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came,And they who have not heard shall understand.

{15:22} Wherefore also I was hindered these many times from comingto you: {15:23} but now, having no more any place in these regions, andhaving these many years a longing to come unto you, {15:24} whensoeverI go unto Spain (for I hope to see you in my journey, and to be broughton my way thitherward by you, if first in some measure I shall havebeen satisfied with your company)– {15:25} but now, I [say], I go untoJerusalem, ministering unto the saints. {15:26} For it hath been thegood pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contributionfor the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem. {15:27} Yea, ithath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if theGentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they oweit [to them] also to minister unto them in carnal things. {15:28} Whentherefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit,I will go on by you unto Spain. {15:29} And I know that, when I comeunto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.{15:30} Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and bythe love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayersto God for me; {15:31} that I may be delivered from them that aredisobedient in Judaea, and [that] my ministration which [I have] forJerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; {15:32} that I may come untoyou in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest.{15:33} Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

{16:1} I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of thechurch that is at Cenchreae: {16:2} that ye receive her in the Lord,worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter shemay have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many,and of mine own self. {16:3} Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workersin Christ Jesus, {16:4} who for my life laid down their own necks; untowhom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles:{16:5} and [salute] the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetusmy beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ. {16:6} SaluteMary, who bestowed much labor on you. {16:7} Salute Andronicus andJunias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among theapostles, who also have been in Christ before me. {16:8} SaluteAmpliatus my beloved in the Lord. {16:9} Salute Urbanus ourfellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. {16:10} Salute Apellesthe approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the [household] ofAristobulus. {16:11} Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the[household] of Narcissus, that are in the Lord. {16:12} SaluteTryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis thebeloved, who labored much in the Lord. {16:13} Salute Rufus the chosenin the Lord, and his mother and mine. {16:14} Salute Asyncritus,Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them.{16:15} Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, andOlympas, and all the saints that are with them. {16:16} Salute oneanother with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.{16:17} Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing thedivisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which yelearned: and turn away from them. {16:18} For they that are such servenot our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fairspeech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. {16:19} For yourobedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you:but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto thatwhich is evil. {16:20} And the God of peace shall bruise Satan underyour feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.{16:21} Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason andSosipater, my kinsmen. {16:22} I Tertius, who write the epistle, saluteyou in the Lord. {16:23} Gaius my host, and of the whole church,saluteth you. Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you, andQuartus the brother. {16:24} [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ bewith you all. Amen.] {16:25} Now to him that is able to establish youaccording to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according tothe revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence throughtimes eternal, {16:26} but now is manifested, and by the scriptures ofthe prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is madeknown unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: {16:27} to the onlywise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.

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