Romans 1:1-32
1 Paul, a slave+ of Jesus Christ and called+ to be an apostle,+ separated to God’s good news,+
2 which he promised aforetime through his prophets+ in the holy Scriptures,
3 concerning his Son, who sprang from the seed* of David+ according to the flesh,+
4 but who with power+ was declared* God’s Son+ according to the spirit+ of holiness by means of resurrection from the dead+—yes, Jesus Christ our Lord,
5 through whom we* received undeserved kindness+ and an apostleship+ in order that there might be obedience of faith among all the nations+ respecting his name,
6 among which [nations] YOU also are those called to belong to Jesus Christ—
7 to all those who are in Rome as God’s beloved ones, called+ to be holy ones:*+
May YOU have undeserved kindness and peace+ from God our Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.+
8 First of all, I give thanks+ to my God through Jesus Christ concerning all of YOU, because YOUR faith is talked about+ throughout the whole world.
9 For God, to whom I render sacred service* with my spirit in connection with the good news about his Son, is my witness+ of how without ceasing I always make mention of YOU in my prayers,+
10 begging that if at all possible I may now at last be prospered in the will+ of God so as to come to YOU.
11 For I am longing to see YOU,+ that I may impart some spiritual gift+ to YOU in order for YOU to be made firm;
12 or, rather, that there may be an interchange of encouragement*+ among YOU, by each one through the other’s faith,+ both YOURS and mine.
13 But I do not want YOU to fail to know, brothers,+ that I many times purposed to come to YOU,+ but I have been hindered until now, in order that I might acquire some fruitage+ also among YOU even as among the rest of the nations.
14 Both to Greeks and to Barbarians,* both to wise+ and to senseless ones I am a debtor:
15 so there is eagerness on my part to declare the good news+ also to YOU there in Rome.+
16 For I am not ashamed+ of the good news; it is, in fact, God’s power+ for salvation to everyone having faith,+ to the Jew first*+ and also to the Greek;+
17 for in it God’s righteousness+ is being revealed by reason of faith+ and toward faith, just as it is written: “But the righteous one—by means of faith he will live.”+
18 For God’s wrath+ is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness+ of men who are suppressing the truth+ in an unrighteous way,+
19 because what may be known about God is manifest among them,+ for God made it manifest to them.+
20 For his invisible+ [qualities] are clearly seen from the world’s* creation onward,+ because they are perceived by the things made,+ even his eternal power+ and Godship,*+ so that they are inexcusable;+
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God nor did they thank him,+ but they became empty-headed+ in their reasonings and their unintelligent heart became darkened.+
22 Although asserting they were wise, they became foolish+
23 and turned the glory+ of the incorruptible God into something like the image+ of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed creatures and creeping things.+
24 Therefore God, in keeping with the desires of their hearts, gave them up to uncleanness,+ that their bodies+ might be dishonored among them,+
25 even those who exchanged the truth+ of God for the lie+ and venerated and rendered sacred service to the creation rather than the One who created, who is blessed forever. Amen.*
26 That is why God gave them up to disgraceful sexual appetites,+ for both their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature;+
27 and likewise even the males left the natural use of the female+ and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males,+ working what is obscene*+ and receiving in themselves the full recompense,+ which was due for their error.+
28 And just as they did not approve of holding God in accurate knowledge,+ God gave them up to a disapproved mental state,+ to do the things not fitting,+
29 filled as they were with all unrighteousness,+ wickedness,+ covetousness,+ badness,+ being full of envy,+ murder,+ strife,+ deceit,+ malicious disposition,+ being whisperers,+
30 backbiters,+ haters of God, insolent,+ haughty,+ self-assuming,+ inventors of injurious things,+ disobedient to parents,+
31 without understanding,+ false to agreements,*+ having no natural affection,+ merciless.+
32 Although these know full well the righteous decree of God,+ that those practicing such things are deserving of death,+ they not only keep on doing them but also consent+ with those practicing them.
Footnotes
^ Or, “offspring.”
^ Or, “determined to be.”
^ “We,” used editorially. Or, “I.”
^ Or, “to be saints.”
^ “I render sacred service.” Gr., la·treuʹo; J17,18(Heb.), ʼaniʹ ʽo·vedhʹ, “I serve (worship).” See Ex 3:12 ftn.
^ Lit., “to be encouraged together.”
^ Or, “foreigners.”
^ “First.” B omits.
^ “World’s.” Gr., koʹsmou; Lat., munʹdi; J17,22(Heb.), ha·ʽoh·lamʹ, “the world.”
^ “What is obscene.” Lit., “the indecency.”
^ Or, “opposed to any agreement.”
