sin. (15)For what I perform, I know not; for not what I desire, that
do I; but what I hate, that I do. (16)But if what I desire not, that I
do, I consent to the law that it is good.
(17)Now then, it is no longer I that perform it, but the sin that
dwells in me.
(18)For I know that there dwells not in me, that is, in my flesh, any
good; for to desire is present with me; but to perform that which is
good I find not. (19)For the good that I desire, I do not; but the
evil that I desire not, that I do. (20)But if what I desire not, that
I do, it is no more I that perform it, but the sin that dwells in me.
(21)I find then the law, that, when I desire to do good, evil is
present with me. (22)For I delight in the law of God after the inward
man. (23)But I see another law in my members, warring against the law
of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is
in my members. (24)Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from
the body of this death? (25)I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then I myself with the mind serve the law of God, but with the
flesh the law of sin.
VIII.
THERE is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ
Jesus. (2)For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set me
free from the law of sin and death. (3)For what the law could not do,
in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh;
(4)that the requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk
not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (5)For they
that are according to the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they
that are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6)For to
be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and
peace. (7)Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it does
not submit itself to the law of God, neither indeed can it; (8)and
they that are in the flesh can not please God.
(9)But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the
Spirit of God dwells in you. And if any man has not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his. (10)And if Christ is in you, the body
indeed is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of
righteousness. (11)And if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from
the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ from the dead will
also quicken your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit that dwells in
you.
(12)So that, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live
according to the flesh. (13)For if ye live according to the flesh, ye
shall die; but if by the Spirit ye mortify the deeds of the body, ye
shall live. (14)For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are
sons of God. (15)For ye did not receive the spirit of bondage, again
to fear; but ye received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father. (16)The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we
are children of God; (17)and if children, also heirs; heirs of God,
and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may
also be glorified with him.
(18)For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are of no
account, in comparison with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
(19)For the earnest longing of the creation is waiting for the
revelation of the sons of God. (20)For the creation was made subject
to vanity, not willingly (but by reason of him who made it subject),
in hope (21)that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the
bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of
God. (22)For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in
pain together until now. (23)And not only so, but ourselves also,
though we have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan
within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our
body.
(24)For we were saved in hope; but hope that is seen is not hope; for
what a man sees, why does he also hope for? (25)But if we hope for
that we see not, we with patience wait for it. (26)And in like manner
does the Spirit also help our weakness; for we know not what we should
pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us
with groanings which can not be uttered. (27)And he who searches the
hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes
intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
(28)And we know that all things work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
(29)Because whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many
brethren. (30)And whom he predestined, them he also called; and whom
he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also
glorified.
(31)What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who
shall be against us? (32)He who spared not his own Son, but delivered
him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all
things? (33)Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's chosen? God
is he that justifies; (34)who is he that condemns? Christ is he that
died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is also at the right hand
of God, who also intercedes for us. (35)Who shall separate us from the
love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36)As it is written:
For, for thy sake we are killed all the day long;
We were accounted as sheep for slaughter.
(37)Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him
who loved us. (38)For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present
nor things to come, (39)neither height nor depth, nor any other
created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
IX.
I SAY the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me
witness in the Holy Spirit, (2)that I have great grief and continual
anguish in my heart. (3)For I myself could wish to be accursed from
Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh; (4)who are
Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants,
and the giving of the law, and the service, and the promises; (5)whose
are the fathers, and of whom as to the flesh is Christ, who is over
all, God blessed forever. Amen.
(6)Not as though the word of God has failed. For not all they are
Israel, who are of Israel; (7)neither, because they are the seed of
Abraham, are they all children; but, In Isaac shall thy seed be
called. (8)That is, not they who are the children of the flesh are
children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned as seed.
(9)For the word of promise is this: At this season I will come, and
Sarah shall have a son. (10)And not only so; but when Rebecca also had
conceived by one, our father Isaac (11)(for they being not yet born,
nor having done anything good or evil, that the purpose of God
according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who
calls), (12)it was said to her: The elder shall serve the younger.
(13)As it is written:
Jacob I loved,
But Esau I hated.
(14)What then shall we say? Is there unrighteousness with God? Far be
it! (15)For he says to Moses: I will have mercy on whomsoever I have
mercy, and I will have compassion on whomsoever I have compassion.
(16)So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of
God who shows mercy, (17)For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: Even for
this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show forth my
power in thee, and that my name might be declared in all the earth.
(18)So that, on whom he will he has mercy, and whom he will he
hardens.
(19)Thou wilt say then to me: Why then does he yet find fault? For who
resists his will? (20)Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest
against God? Shall the thing formed say to him who formed it: Why
didst thou make me thus?
(21)Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make
one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? (22)And what if God,
willing to show forth his wrath, and to make known his power, endured
with much long-suffering vessels of wrath fitted for destruction;
(23)and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of
mercy, which he had before prepared for glory; (24)whom he also
called, even us, not from among the Jews only, but also from among the
Gentiles? (25)As also he says in Hosea:
I will call them my people, who were not my people;
And her beloved, who was not beloved.
(26)And it shall be, that in the place where it was said to them, Ye
are not my people, there shall they be called, Sons of the living God.
(27)And Isaiah cries concerning Israel:
Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea,
The remnant shall be saved;
(28)For he will finish the work[9:28a],
And cut it short in righteousness;
Because a short work[9:28b] will the Lord make upon the earth.
(29)And as Isaiah has said before:
Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed,
We had become as Sodom,
And been made like to Gomorrah.
(30)What then shall we say? That Gentiles, who were not following
after righteousness, obtained righteousness, the righteousness which
is of faith; (31)but Israel, following after a law of righteousness,
attained not to [such] a law. (32)Wherefore? Because [they sought it]
not by faith, but as being by works of law. For they stumbled against
the stone of stumbling; (33)as it is written: Behold, I lay in Zion a
stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and he that believes on him
shall not be put to shame.
X.
BRETHREN, it is my heart's desire and prayer to God on their behalf,
that they might be saved. (2)For I bear them witness, that they have a
zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. (3)For not knowing the
righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own
righteousness, they did not submit themselves to the righteousness of
God. (4)For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, to every
one that believes.
(5)For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law: The man
that has done them, shall live by them.[10:5] (6)But the righteousness
which is of faith says thus: Say not in thy heart, Who shall ascend
into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down;) (7)or, Who shall descend
into the abyss? (that is, to bring up Christ from the dead.) (8)But
what says it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart;
that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (9)because, if thou shalt
profess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that
God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10)For with the
heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth profession
is made unto salvation. (11)For the Scripture says: Whoever believes
on him shall not be put to shame. (12)For there is no difference
between Jew and Greek; for the same is Lord of all, rich toward all
that call upon him; (13)for every one who shall call upon the name of
the Lord shall be saved.
(14)How then shall they call on him on whom they believed not? And how
shall they believe on him of whom they heard not? And how shall they
hear without a preacher? (15)And how shall they preach, unless they
are sent forth? As it is written:
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!
(16)But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah says:
Lord, who believed our report? (17)So then faith comes of hearing, and
hearing by the word of God.
(18)But I say, did they not hear? Yes verily;
Their sound went forth into all the earth,
And their words unto the ends of the world.
(19)But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:
I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are no people,
By a foolish nation I will move you to anger.
(20)But Isaiah is very bold, and says:
I was found by those who sought me not;
I became manifest to those who asked not after me.
(21)But of Israel he says:
All the day long, I stretched forth my hands,
To a disobedient and gainsaying people.
XI.
I SAY then, did God cast away his people? Far be it! For I also am an
Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (2)God
did not cast away his people whom he foreknew. Know ye not what the
Scripture says in the story of Elijah; how he pleads with God against
Israel, saying: (3)Lord they killed thy prophets, and digged down
thine altars; and I was left alone, and they seek my life. (4)But what
says the answer of God to him? I reserved to myself seven thousand
men, who bowed not the knee to Baal.
(5)Even so then, at this present time also, there is a remnant
according to the election of grace. (6)And if by grace, it is no
longer of works; otherwise, grace becomes no longer grace. [11:6][But
if of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise, work is no longer
work.]
(7)What then? What Israel seeks after, that he obtained not; but the
election obtained it, and the rest were hardened. (8)According as it
is written: God gave them a spirit of slumber, eyes that they should
not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this day. (9)And
David says:
Let their table be made a snare, and a trap,
And a stumbling-block, and a recompense to them;
(10)Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see,
And bow down their back alway.
(11)I say then, did they stumble in order that they should fall? Far
be it! But by their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles, to provoke
them to jealousy. (12)But if their fall is the riches of the world,
and their diminution the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their
fullness?
(13)For I am speaking to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am the apostle of
the Gentiles, I magnify my office; (14)if by any means I may provoke
to emulation those who are my flesh, and may save some of them.
(15)For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world,
what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? (16)And
if the first-fruit is holy, so also is the lump; and if the root is
holy, so also are the branches. (17)And if some of the branches were
broken off, and thou, being a wild olive-tree, wert grafted in among
them, and became a partaker with them of the root and the fatness of
the olive-tree; (18)boast not over the branches. But if thou boast, it
is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee.
(19)Thou wilt say then: The branches were broken off, that I might be
grafted in. (20)Well; because of their want of faith they were broken
off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not high-minded, but fear;
(21)for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also
spare not thee.
(22)Behold then the goodness and severity of God; toward those who
fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his
goodness; otherwise, thou also shalt be cut off. (23)And they also, if
they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in; for God is
able again to graft them in. (24)For if thou wast cut out of the
olive-tree which is wild by nature, and wast grafted contrary to
nature into a good olive-tree; how much more shall these, who are the
natural branches, be grafted into their own olive-tree?
(25)For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this
mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that hardness
has come upon Israel in part, until the fullness of the Gentiles come
in. (26)And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written: There
shall come out of Zion the Deliverer; he will turn away ungodliness
from Jacob; (27)and this is the covenant from me to them, when I shall
take away their sins. (28)As concerning the gospel, they are enemies
for your sakes; but as concerning the election, they are beloved for
the fathers' sakes. (29)For unrepented are the gifts and the calling
of God. (30)For as ye in times past disobeyed God, but now obtained
mercy through their disobedience; (31)so also they now disobeyed
through the mercy shown to you, that they also might obtain mercy.
(32)For God included all in disobedience[11:32], that he might have
mercy upon all.
(33)Oh, the depth of the riches, and wisdom, and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
(34)For,
Who knew the mind of the Lord?
Or who became his counselor?
(35)Or who first gave to him, and it shall be given back to him again?
(36)For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things; to him
be the glory forever. Amen.
XII.
I BESEECH you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well pleasing to God, which is
your rational service. (2)And be not conformed to this world; but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may discern what is
the will of God, the good, and well pleasing, and perfect.
(3)For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one that is
among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;
but to think soberly, according as God imparted to each one the
measure of faith. (4)For as we have many members in one body, and all
the members have not the same office; (5)so we, the many, are one body
in Christ, and severally members one of another. (6)And having gifts
differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of our faith;
(7)or ministry, [let us wait] on the ministry; or he that teaches, on
the teaching; (8)or he that exhorts, on the exhortation; he that
gives, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that presides, with
diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
(9)Let love be unfeigned. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that
which is good. In brotherly love, (10)be kindly affectioned one to
another; in honor, preferring one another; (11)in diligence, not
slothful; in spirit, fervent, serving the Lord; (12)in hope,
rejoicing; in affliction, patient; in prayer, persevering;
(13)communicating to the necessities of the saints[12:13]; given to
hospitality. (14)Bless those who persecute you; bless, and curse not.
(15)Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. (16)Be
of the same mind one toward another. Aspire not to things that are
high, but condescend to the lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits.
(17)Recompense to no one evil for evil. Provide things honorable in
the sight of all men. (18)If it be possible, as far as depends on you,
be at peace with all men. (19)Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give
place to the wrath [of God]. For it is written: To me belongs
vengeance; I will recompense, saith the Lord. (20)Therefore,
If thy enemy hungers, feed him;
If he thirsts, give him drink.
For, in doing this,
Thou wilt heap coals of fire on his head.
(21)Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
XIII.
LET every soul submit himself to the higher powers. For there is no
power but from God; the powers that be have been ordained by God.
(2)So that he who resists the power, resists the ordinance of God; and
they that resist will receive to themselves condemnation. (3)For
rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. And dost thou
wish not to be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou
wilt have praise from it; (4)for he is God's minister to thee for
good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not
the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger for wrath to
him that does evil. (5)Wherefore it is necessary to submit yourselves,
not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
(6)For, for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are God's
ministers, attending continually to this very thing. (7)Render
therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to
whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (8)Owe no one
anything, but to love one another; for he that loves another has
fulfilled the law. (9)For this: Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou
shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet; and if
there is any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this
saying, namely: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (10)Love
works no ill to one's neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of
the law. (11)And that, knowing the time, that it is high time that we
already were awaked out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than
when we believed. (12)The night is far advanced, the day is at hand.
Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the
armor of light. (13)Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in
reveling and drunkenness, not in lewdness and wantonness, not in
strife and envying; (14)but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not
provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
XIV.
HIM that is weak in faith receive; not for the decision of disputes.
(2)For one believes, that he may eat all things; but he that is weak
eats herbs. (3)Let not him that eats despise him that eats not; and
let not him that eats not judge him that eats; for God received him.
(4)Who art thou that judgest another's servant? To his own master he
stands or falls. But he shall be made to stand; for God is able to
make him stand.
(5)One man esteems one day above another; another esteems every day
alike. Let each one be fully persuaded in his own mind. (6)He that
regards the day, regards it to the Lord; and he that eats, eats to the
Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he that eats not, to the Lord he
eats not, and gives thanks to God.
(7)For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. (8)For
if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord;
whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. (9)For to this
end Christ died, and lived, that he might be Lord of both the dead and
living.
(10)But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou despise thy
brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God.
(11)For it is written: As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee
shall bow, and every tongue shall confess to God.[14:11] (12)So then,
each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
(13)Let us therefore no longer judge one another; but judge this
rather, not to put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall, in a
brother's way. (14)I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that
nothing is unclean of itself; but to him that accounts anything to be
unclean, to him it is unclean. (15)But if because of food thy brother
is grieved, thou no longer walkest in accordance with love. Destroy
not him by thy food, for whom Christ died. (16)Let not then your good
be evil spoken of. (17)For the kingdom of God is not food and drink;
but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. (18)For he
that in these things serves Christ, is well pleasing to God, and
approved by men.
(19)So then, let us follow after the things which make for peace, and
things by which one may edify another. (20)For the sake of food
destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is
evil for that man who eats with offense. (21)It is good neither to eat
flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbles,
or is made to offend, or is weak. (22)Hast thou faith? Have it to
thyself before God. Happy is he that judges not himself in that which
he allows. (23)And he that doubts is condemned if he eat, because it
is not of faith; and all that is not of faith is sin.
XV.
NOW we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and
not to please ourselves. (2)Let each one of us please his neighbor,
for his good, to edification. (3)For also Christ pleased not himself;
but, as it is written: The reproaches of those who reproached thee,
fell on me. (4)For whatever things were written afore-time were for
our instruction, that we through patience and consolation of the
Scriptures may have hope. (5)And the God of patience and consolation
grant you to be of the same mind one with another, according to Christ
Jesus; (6)that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify God, the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(7)Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to
the glory of God. (8)For I say that Jesus Christ has been made a
minister of the circumcision, for the sake of God's truth, in order to
confirm the promises made to the fathers; (9)and that the Gentiles
should glorify God for his mercy; as it is written:
For this cause I will give thee praise among Gentiles.
And to thy name will sing.
(10)And again he says:
Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
(11)And again:
Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles;
And extol him, all ye peoples.
(12)And again, Isaiah says: