fire, there came out a viper from the heat, and fastened on his hand.
(4)And when the barbarians saw the animal hanging from his hand, they
said among themselves: No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though
escaped from the sea, justice suffered not to live. (5)He, however,
shaking off the animal into the fire, suffered no harm. (6)But they
were expecting that he would become inflamed, or suddenly fall down
dead; but after looking a great while, and seeing no harm befall him,
they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
(7)In the region around that place, there were lands of the chief man
of the island, whose name was Publius, who received and entertained us
kindly three days. (8)Now it happened, that the father of Publius was
lying sick with a fever and a bloody flux; to whom Paul entered in,
and having prayed, laid his hands on him and healed him. (9)And this
having been done, the others also, who had diseases in the island,
came and were healed; (10)who also honored us with many honors; and
when we put to sea, they loaded us with such things as were necessary.
(11)And after three months, we put to sea in a ship of Alexandria,
which had wintered in the island, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
(12)And landing at Syracuse, we remained three days. (13)And from
thence, making a circuit[28:13], we came to Rhegium. And after one
day, a south wind arose, and we came on the second day to Puteoli;
(14)where we found brethren, and were entreated to remain with them
seven days; and so we went toward Rome. (15)And from thence, the
brethren, having heard of us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum,
and the Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and
took courage.
(16)And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to
the commander of the camp; but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself,
with the soldier who guarded him.
(17)And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called together
those who were the chief men of the Jews; and when they were come
together, he said to them: Men, brethren, though I had done nothing
against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered
a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans; (18)who, when
they had examined me, wished to release me, because there was no cause
of death in me. (19)But as the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled
to appeal to Caesar; not that I have anything to charge against my
nation. (20)For this cause therefore I called for you, to see and to
speak with you; for on account of the hope of Israel I am compassed
with this chain.
(21)And they said to him: We neither received letters from Judaea
concerning thee, nor did any one of the brethren that came, report or
speak any evil concerning thee. (22)But we desire to hear from thee
what thou thinkest; for concerning this sect, we know that everywhere
it is spoken against.
(23)And having appointed a day for him, they came to him in greater
numbers to his lodging; to whom he expounded, testifying fully the
kingdom of God, and persuading them of the things concerning Jesus,
both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning till
evening. (24)And some believed the things spoken, and some believed
not. (25)And disagreeing among themselves, they departed, after Paul
had spoken one word: Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the
prophet to our fathers, (26)saying:
Go to this people, and say;
With the hearing ye will hear, and will not understand,
And seeing ye will see, and will not perceive.
(27)For the heart of this people is become gross,
And their ears are dull of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed;
Lest haply they see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And turn, and I shall heal them.
(28)Be it known to you, therefore, that to the Gentiles the salvation
of God was sent; they, moreover, will hear.[28:29]
(30)And Paul remained two whole years in his own hired house, and
gladly received all that came in to him; (31)preaching the kingdom of
God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with
all confidence, no one hindering him.
THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS.
I.
PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, set apart unto the
gospel of God, (2)which he before announced through his prophets in
the Holy Scriptures, (3)concerning his Son, who was born of the seed
of David according to the flesh, (4)who was declared to be the Son of
God with power according to the spirit of holiness, by the
resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord; (5)through whom we
received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all
the nations, for his name's sake; (6)among whom are ye also, called of
Jesus Christ; (7)to all the beloved of God that are in Rome, called to
be saints: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
(8)First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your
faith is spoken of in all the world. (9)For God is my witness, whom I
serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how without ceasing I
make mention of you always in my prayers; (10)making request, if haply
now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you.
(11)For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual
gift, to the end ye may be established; (12)that is, to be comforted
together among you, by each other's faith, both yours and mine.
(13)Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that often-times I
purposed to come to you (but was hindered hitherto), that I might have
some fruit among you also, as among the rest of the Gentiles. (14)I am
debtor both to Greeks and Barbarians; both to wise and unwise. (15)So,
as far as lies in me, I am ready to preach the good news to you also
who are at Rome. (16)For I am not ashamed of the gospel; for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believes, to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek. (17)For therein is revealed a
righteousness of God, from faith to faith; as it is written: The just
shall live by faith.
(18)For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness[1:18]; (19)because that which may be known of God is
manifest in them; for God manifested it to them. (20)For, from the
creation of the world, his invisible things are clearly seen, being
perceived by the things that are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are[1:20] without excuse. (21)Because, knowing
God, they glorified him not as God, nor gave thanks; but became vain
in their reasonings, and their foolish heart was darkened.
(22)Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools; (23)and
changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to
corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping
things.
(24)Wherefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to
uncleanness, to dishonor their bodies among themselves; (25)who
changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the
creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
(26)For this cause God gave them up to vile passions; for their women
changed the natural use into that which is against nature; (27)and in
like manner the men also, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned
in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is
unseemly, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error
which was meet.
(28)And as they did not choose to retain God in their knowledge, God
gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not
becoming; (29)being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit,
malignity; whisperers, (30)slanderers, haters of God, overbearing,
proud, boasters, devisers of evil things, disobedient to parents,
(31)without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural
affection, implacable, unmerciful; (32)who, knowing the judgment of
God, that they who commit such things are worthy of death, not only do
them, but have pleasure in those who do them.
II.
WHEREFORE thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that
judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself;
for thou that judgest doest the same things. (2)Now we know that the
judgment of God is according to truth, upon those who commit such
things. (3)And reckonest thou this, O man, that judgest those who do
such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment
of God? (4)Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and
forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God
is leading thee to repentance; (5)and after thy hardness and
impenitent heart, art treasuring up for thyself wrath in the day of
wrath and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (6)who
will render to every man according to his deeds; (7)to those who by
patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and
immortality, eternal life; (8)but to those who are contentious, and do
not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9)tribulation and distress, upon every soul of man that works evil,
of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; (10)but glory, and honor, and
peace, to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek.
(11)For there is no respect of persons with God. (12)For as many as
sinned without law shall also perish without law; and as many as
sinned with law shall be judged by law; (13)(for not the hearers of
law are just before God, but the doers of law shall be justified:
(14)for when Gentiles, who have no law, do by nature the things
required by law, these, having no law, are a law to themselves;
(15)who show the work of law written in their hearts, their conscience
witnessing therewith, and their thoughts alternately accusing, or also
excusing[2:15];) (16)in the day when God will judge the secrets of men
by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
(17)But if thou art called a Jew, and restest upon law, and makest thy
boast in God, (18)and knowest his will, and approvest the things that
are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; (19)and art
confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of those
who are in darkness, (20)an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of
babes, having the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law;
(21)thou then, that teachest another, dost thou not teach thyself?
Thou that preachest, a man should not steal, dost thou steal? (22)Thou
that sayest, a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit
adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege[2:22]?
(23)Thou that makest thy boast in law, through the transgression of
the law dishonorest thou God? (24)For, the name of God is blasphemed
among the Gentiles because of you, as it is written.
(25)For circumcision indeed profits, if thou keep the law; but if thou
art a transgressor of law, thy circumcision has become uncircumcision.
(26)If then the uncircumcision keep the requirements of the law, shall
not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? (27)And shall not
the uncircumcision that is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge
thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of law?
(28)For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly; nor is that
circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. (29)But he is a Jew, who
is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit
not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
III.
WHAT then is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of
circumcision? (2)Much every way; first, indeed, that they were
intrusted with the oracles of God. (3)For what if some did not
believe? Shall their unbelief make void the faithfulness of God?
(4)Far be it! Yea, let God be true and every man a liar; as it is
written:
That thou mayest be justified in thy words,
And mayest overcome when thou art judged.
(5)But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what
shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? (I speak as a
man.) (6)Far be it! For then how shall God judge the world? (7)For if
the truth of God through my lie, abounded unto his glory, why am I
also still judged as a sinner? (8)And why not, as we are slanderously
reported, and as some affirm that we say: Let us do evil, that good
may come? Whose judgment is just.
(9)What then? Are we better? No, in no wise; for we before charged,
that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin. (10)As it is written:
There is none righteous, no, no one; (11)there is none that
understands, there is none that seeks after God. (12)They are all gone
out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none
that does good, there is not so much as one. (13)Their throat is an
open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison
of asps is under their lips; (14)whose mouth is full of cursing and
bitterness. (15)Their feet are swift to shed blood. (16)Destruction
and misery are in their ways; (17)and the way of peace they have not
known. (18)There is no fear of God before their eyes.
(19)Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those under the
law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become
guilty before God. (20)Because by works of law no flesh shall be
justified in his sight; for by law is the knowledge of sin.
(21)But now, apart from law, a righteousness of God has been
manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; (22)a
righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unto all and upon
all that believe; (for there is no difference; (23)for all sinned, and
come short of the glory of God;) (24)being justified freely by his
grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; (25)whom God
set forth as a propitiation through faith by his blood, for the
exhibition of his righteousness, because of the passing over of the
sins before committed in the forbearance of God; (26)for the
exhibition of his righteousness in this present time, that he may be
just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.
(27)Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law?
Of works? Nay; but by the law of faith. (28)Therefore we reckon that a
man is justified by faith apart from works of law. Is he the God of
Jews only? (29)Is he not also of Gentiles? Yes, of Gentiles also;
(30)seeing that God is one, who will justify the circumcision by
faith, and the uncircumcision through the faith. (31)Do we then make
void law through the faith? Far be it! Yea, we establish law.
IV.
WHAT then shall we say that Abraham our father found, as pertaining to
the flesh? (2)For if Abraham was justified by works, he has ground of
boasting; but not before God. (3)For what says the Scripture? And
Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.
(4)Now to him that works, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but
as a debt. (5)But to him that works not, but believes on him who
justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. (6)As
also David speaks of the happiness of the man, to whom God reckons
righteousness, apart from works:
(7)Happy they, whose iniquities were forgiven,
And whose sins were covered;
(8)Happy the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin!
(9)Comes this happiness then on the circumcision, or also on he
uncircumcision? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for
righteousness. (10)How then was it reckoned? When he was in
circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in
uncircumcision. (11)And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal
of the righteousness of the faith which he had while in
uncircumcision; that he might be father of all that believe while in
uncircumcision, that the righteousness might be reckoned to them also,
(12)and father of circumcision to those who are not only of the
circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith of our
father Abraham, which he had while in uncircumcision.
(13)For not through law was the promise to Abraham, or to his seed,
that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of
faith. (14)For if they that are of law are heirs, faith is made void,
and the promise is made of no effect. (15)For the law works wrath; for
where there is no law, neither is there transgression. (16)For this
cause it is of faith, that it may be by grace; in order that the
promise may be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the
law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the
father of us all, (17)(as it is written: A father of many nations have
I made thee,) before God whom he believed, who quickens the dead, and
calls the things that are not as though they were; (18)who against
hope believed in hope, that he should become father of many nations,
according to that which was spoken: So shall thy seed be. (19)And
being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body already dead,
being about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb.
(20)And in respect to the promise of God he wavered not through
unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, (21)and being
fully persuaded, that what he has promised he is able also to perform.
(22)Wherefore also it was reckoned to him for righteousness.
(23)And it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned to
him; (24)but for ours also, to whom it shall be reckoned, if we
believe on him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25)who was
delivered up for our offenses, and was raised for our justification.
V.
BEING justified therefore by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ; (2)through whom also we obtained the access by
faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the
glory of God. (3)And not only so, but we rejoice in afflictions also;
knowing that affliction works patience; (4)and patience approval; and
approval hope; (5)and hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God
has been poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Spirit which was
given to us.
(6)For when we were yet without strength, in due season Christ died
for the ungodly. (7)For scarcely for a righteous man will one die;
though, for the good man, perhaps some one does even dare to die.
(8)But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us. (9)Much more therefore, being now
justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath through him.
(10)For if, being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death
of his son; much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his
life; (11)and not only so, but also rejoicing in God through our Lord
Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
(12)Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by
sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all sinned; (13)(for
until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there
is no law. (14)But yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over
those who sinned not after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who
is a type of him who was to come.
(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 the grace of God, and
the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the
many.
(16)And not as through one that sinned, is the gift; for the judgment
came of one unto condemnation, but the free gift came of many
trespasses unto justification. (17)For if by the trespass of the one,
death reigned through the one; much more they who receive the
abundance of the grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign
in life through the one, Jesus Christ.)
(18)So then, as through one trespass it came upon all men unto
condemnation; so also through one righteous act it came upon all men
unto justification of life. (19)For as through the disobedience of the
one man the many were constituted sinners, so also through the
obedience of the one will the many be constituted righteous.
(20)Moreover the law came in also, that the trespass might abound. But
where sin abounded, grace did much more abound; (21)that as sin
reigned in death, so also might grace reign through righteousness unto
eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
VI.
WHAT then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin that grace may
abound? (2)Far be it! How shall we who died to sin, live any longer
therein? (3)Know ye not, that all we who were immersed into Jesus
Christ were immersed into his death? (4)We were buried therefore with
him by the immersion into his death; that as Christ was raised from
the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness
of life. (5)For if we have become united with the likeness of his
death, we shall be also with that of his resurrection, (6)knowing
this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin
might be destroyed, in order that we should no longer be in bondage to
sin. (7)For he that died has been justified from sin. (8)And if we
died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;
(9)knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more;
death has dominion over him no more. (10)For in that he died, he died
to sin once; but in that he lives, he lives to God. (11)So also reckon
ye yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus
Christ.
(12)Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should
obey the lusts thereof; (13)nor yield your members to sin as
instruments of unrighteousness; but yield yourselves to God as being
alive from the dead, and your members to God as instruments of
righteousness. (14)For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye
are not under law, but under grace.
(15)What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law but under
grace? Far be it! (16)Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves
servants to obey, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin
unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (17)But thanks be to
God, that ye were servants of sin, but obeyed from the heart that form
of teaching which was delivered to you[6:18]; (18)and being made free
from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.
(19)I speak after the manner of men, because of the infirmity of your
flesh. For as ye yielded your members servants to uncleanness, and to
iniquity unto iniquity; so now yield your members servants to
righteousness unto sanctification. (20)For when ye were servants of
sin, ye were free as to righteousness. (21)What fruit therefore had ye
then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those
things is death. (22)But now, being made free from sin, and become
servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end
everlasting life. (23)For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of
God is eternal life, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
VII.
KNOW ye not, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that
the law has dominion over a man for so long a time as he lives? (2)For
the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives; but
if the husband die, she is loosed from the law of the husband. (3)So
then if, while the husband lives, she be married to another man, she
shall be called an adulteress; but if the husband die, she is free
from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, though she be married
to another man.
(4)Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through
the body of Christ, in order that ye should be married to another, to
him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to
God. (5)For when we were in the flesh, the emotions of sins, which
were by the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto
death. (6)But now we are delivered from the law, having died to that
wherein we were held; so that we serve in newness of spirit, and not
in oldness of the letter.
(7)What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Far be it! But I had not
known sin, except through law; for I had not known coveting, if the
law had not said: Thou shalt not covet. (8)But sin, taking occasion by
the commandment, wrought in me all manner of coveting. For without
law, sin is dead.
(9)And I was alive without law once; but when the commandment came,
sin revived, and I died. (10)And the commandment, which was for life,
that I found to be for death. (11)For sin, taking occasion by the
commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
(12)So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and
good.
(13)Has then that which is good become death to me? Far be it! But
sin, that it might appear sin, working death to me by that which is
good, that sin by the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.