Romans 3
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1What advantage, then, does the Jew have, or what value is there in circumcision? 1What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?
2There are all kinds of advantages! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the utterances of God. 2Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3What if some of the Jews were unfaithful? Their unfaithfulness cannot cancel God's faithfulness, can it? 3What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God's faithfulness?
4Of course not! God is true, even if everyone else is a liar. As it is written, "You are right when you speak, and win your case when you go into court." 4Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."
5But if our unrighteousness serves to confirm God's righteousness, what can we say? God is not unrighteous when he vents his wrath on us, is he? (I am talking in human terms.) 5But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)
6Of course not! Otherwise, how could God judge the world? 6Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?
7For if through my falsehood God's truthfulness glorifies him even more, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 7Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?"
8Or can we say—as some people slander us by claiming that we say—"Let's do evil that good may result"? They deserve to be condemned!8Why not say--as some slanderously claim that we say--"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is just!
9What, then, does this mean? Are we Jews any better off? Not at all! For we have already accused everyone, both Jews and Greeks, of being under the power of sin. 9What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.
10As it is written, "Not even one person is righteous.10As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;
11No one understands. No one searches for God.11there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.
12All have turned away. They have become completely worthless. No one shows kindness, not even one person! 12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."
13Their throats are open graves. With their tongues they deceive. The venom of poisonous snakes is under their lips. 13"Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips."
14Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. 14"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
15They run swiftly to shed blood.15"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16Ruin and misery characterize their lives.16ruin and misery mark their ways,
17They have not learned the path to peace. 17and the way of peace they do not know."
18They don't fear God. 18"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
19Now we know that whatever the Law says applies to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
20Therefore, God will not justify any human being by means of the actions prescribed by the Law, for through the Law comes the full knowledge of sin.20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
21But now, apart from the Law, God's righteousness is revealed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets— 21But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
22God's righteousness through the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah — for all who believe. For there is no distinction among people,22This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,
23since all have sinned and continue to fall short of God's glory. 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24By his grace they are justified freely through the redemption that is in the Messiah Jesus, 24and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
25whom God offered as a place where atonement by the Messiah's blood would occur through faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because he had waited patiently to deal with sins committed in the past. 25God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood--to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--
26He wanted to demonstrate at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies anyone who has the faithfulness of Jesus. 26he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27What, then, is there to boast about? That has been eliminated. On what principle? On that of actions? No, but on the principle of faith. 27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith.
28For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the actions prescribed by the Law. 28For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
29Is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the gentiles, too? Yes, of the gentiles, too, 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
30since there is only one God who will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised by that same faith. 30since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
31Do we, then, abolish the Law by this faith? Of course not! Instead, we uphold the Law.31Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
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Romans 2
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