1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart
for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised before 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 of faith among all the nations, for his name’s
sake; 6 among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ;
7 to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, 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 all of you, that your
faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness,
whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make
mention of you always in my prayers, 10 requesting, if by any means now at
last 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 that
you may be established; 12 that is, that I with you may be encouraged
in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
13 Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned
to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among
you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to
Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, as
much as is in me, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in
Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power
of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also
for the Greek. 17 For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to
faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.” 18 For
the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God
revealed it to them. 20 For the invisible things of him since the creation
of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are
made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without
excuse. 21 Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither
gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart
was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and traded
the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of
corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to
uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the
creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women
changed the natural function into that which is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman,
burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with
men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. 28 Even
as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a
reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled
with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret
slanderers, 30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful,
inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 without
understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving,
unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice
such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of
those who practice them.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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