Chapter 1
1 I, Paul, am a servant of Jesus Christ. God called me to be an apostle and entrusted me to preach His Good News.
2 God promised long ago that this Good News would be proclaimed on earth. He spoke about it to His prophets, and they wrote it down in the Holy Scriptures.
3 This Good News is about God’s Son. He was born as a human and was a descendant of King David.
4 God revealed that Jesus Christ is His Son when He raised Him from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is why Jesus Christ is our Lord.
5 Through Christ God has given us His grace and entrusted us with an apostolic ministry. That is why in the name of Jesus we go to all nations so that they may come to Him in faith and begin to live the way God wants.
6 You are also among the nations whom Jesus Christ has called to Himself.
7 I am writing this letter to everyone who lives in Rome. God loves you, He has called you to Himself to be His holy people. God is our Father, and Jesus Christ is our Lord. May God fill you with His grace, and may Jesus bring peace to your hearts.
8 First, in the name of Jesus Christ, I want to thank my God for all of you. Your faith is spoken of far beyond Rome.
9 God knows that I remember you. I constantly pray to God for you, whom I serve with my spirit when I preach the Good News about His Son.
10 Every time I pray for you, I ask God to give me an opportunity to visit you.
11 I really want to see you so that I can share a spiritual gift with you that will make you stronger.
12 Then my faith will strengthen you, and your faith will strengthen me.
13 Brothers, you should know that I have planned many times to visit you, but each time something stopped me. I work among different nations. Now I want to serve you as well, so that I may see the results of my work among you also.
14 I must preach to everyone: to civilized Greeks and wild tribes, to educated people and uneducated people.
15 That is why I really want to bring the Good News about Christ to you who live in Rome.
16 I am not afraid to spread the Good News about Christ, because it is the power of God. When I preach, God works through this power and saves all who believe in Jesus. First, this applies to the Jews. But it also applies to all other nations.
17 The Good News shows that the way to God’s righteousness begins with faith and continues with faith. That is why the Scripture says, “The righteous person will live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).
18 But those who live without God do evil, and by their actions they suppress the truth. That is why God pours out His wrath from heaven on those who act this way.
19 People can learn about God because He has made it clear.
20 Since God created this world, people have seen His creation. It clearly speaks of the invisible God, His eternal power, and His character. That is why no one will be able to justify himself and say that he did not know about the existence of God.
21 People knew that God exists, but they did not want to glorify Him and thank Him. Instead, they began to think about foolish things, and darkness filled their foolish hearts.
22 They called themselves wise, but actually they became fools.
23 People did not want to give glory to the immortal God. Instead, they began to create images of God in the form of a mortal man. They also made idols in the form of birds, animals, and snakes.
24 That is why God turned away from people. They filled their hearts with sinful desires, started living an immoral lifestyle, and did shameful things with their bodies.
25 People rejected God’s truth and believed lies. They began to worship and serve creation instead of the Creator, who is worthy of eternal glory. Amen.
26 That is why God turned away from people, and they followed their shameful desires. Women replaced natural relations with men for unnatural ones.
27 Men began to do the same. They abandoned natural relations with women. They burned with lustful desires for each other and began to engage in perverse acts. They fell into delusion. That is why they will receive the punishment they deserve and experience the consequences of their actions.
28 People stopped paying attention to God and deliberately removed Him from their thoughts. That is why He turned away from them. Sin distorted their ability to understand the truth, and they started doing forbidden things.
29 Such people indulge in various kinds of sins. They are filled with wickedness and greed. They envy one another, commit murder, quarrel, and deceive. They take pleasure when another person faces trouble.
30 They spread gossip and slander. They hate God and treat others cruelly. They boast and think they are better than others. They invent new ways to do evil and rebel against their parents.
31 They act foolishly and break their promises. They love no one and have no pity for anyone.
32 Such people know that God judges every person justly. They know that those who engage in such deeds deserve death. But they still do evil and approve of those who act the same way they do.
Chapter 2
1 If you judge another person, you cannot justify yourself, because you sin the same way as he does. That is why when you judge others, you condemn yourself.
2 We know that God will justly judge all who do evil.
3 But you judge others, yet you yourself sin the same way as they do. Do you think that you will escape God’s judgment?
4 Do not take lightly God’s great kindness, because God forgives you and shows you great patience. Don’t you understand that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
5 But you are stubborn. You do not want to change your heart and abandon sin. That is why you are storing up God’s wrath against yourself, which God will pour out on the day when He judges you justly.
6 On the day of judgment, each person will receive from God what he deserves for his deeds.
7 God will give eternal life to those who patiently do good and glorify Him. Such a person honors God and seeks eternity.
8 But if someone acts selfishly, does not obey the truth, and does evil, then God will pour out His wrath and anger on such a person.
9 If a person does evil, his soul will suffer, and he will live in difficult circumstances. First, this applies to the Jews. But it also applies to all other nations.
10 But the one who does good will see God’s glory. Such a person will be treated with respect, and he will find peace. First, this applies to the Jews. But it also applies to all other nations.
11 God deals with everyone justly.
12 Other nations did not have the Law of Moses, so God will not judge them according to that Law. But they sinned anyway, and that is why they will perish. The Jews had the Law of Moses, but they also sinned and broke it. That is why God will judge the Jews according to the Law of Moses.
13 If someone listens to the Law and still lives in sin, God will condemn that person. God will justify only the one who keeps the Law of Moses.
14 Other nations who have believed in Jesus do not have the Law of Moses. But they naturally do what that Law says. That is why they already know the Law within themselves.
15 God has written His Law in the hearts of those nations who have believed in Christ. That is why their conscience tells them if what they do is right or not. In one case, their thoughts accuse them. In another case, their thoughts confirm that they are acting correctly. In this way, people from other nations show that God’s Law is at work in their hearts.
16 I preach the Good News about Christ. I say that the day will come when God will judge the secret deeds of people through Jesus Christ.
17 You call yourself a Jew and comfort yourself that you know the Law of Moses. You proudly show off your faith in God.
18 You know God’s will. You understand what the Law of Moses teaches, so you know how to do what is right.
19 You are confident that you can guide the blind. You are convinced that you are a light to those who live in darkness.
20 You believe that you can correct those who lack wisdom. You are sure that you can teach those who are spiritually immature. You say that the Law of Moses contains knowledge and truth.
21 But how can this be? You teach others, but you do not teach yourself. You tell people not to steal, but you yourself steal.
22 You tell others not to commit adultery, but you yourself are unfaithful in marriage. You hate idols, but you rob pagan temples.
23 You are proud of knowing the Law of Moses. But you break it, and in this way you dishonor God.
24 Scripture says to such people: “Because of you, other nations get a wrong idea about God and speak evil of His name” (Isaiah 52:5, Ezekiel 36:20–23).
25 Circumcision is meaningful if you keep the Law of Moses. But if you break this Law, circumcision loses its meaning, and you become the same as an uncircumcised person.
26 Suppose that an uncircumcised person keeps the requirements of the Law. In that case, God will treat him as if he were circumcised.
27 But you are a circumcised Jew. You know the Scriptures, but you still break the Law of Moses. Other nations do not practice circumcision. However, if an uncircumcised person keeps the Law, he will condemn you, a circumcised Jew.
28 A true Jew is not the one who was born into a Jewish family. True circumcision is not an outward sign that a person makes on his body.
29 Instead, a true Jew is the one who has experienced an inner change. True circumcision is what the Holy Spirit does in a person’s heart. No one can change his own heart, even if he keeps letter by letter what is written in the Law of Moses. Such a person, whose heart has been changed by the Holy Spirit, receives praise from God, not from people.
Chapter 3
1 What is so special about the Jewish people? And what is the meaning of circumcision?
2 The Jews are very different from other nations in every way. But their greatest advantage is that God entrusted His Word to them.
3 Yes, some Jews have lost faith in God. But can their unbelief nullify God’s faithfulness?
4 Of course not. Every person lies, and only God speaks the truth. Scripture says about God, “All your words are just. And when you judge people, You will win” (Psalm 51:4).
5 But some people say, “It is unfair if God pours out His wrath on us for our sins. The more we sin, the more righteous God appears.” What should I say to this?
6 God will judge the world. Of course, it is right that God is angry with people because of their sins.
7 But someone argues, “When I do what is wrong, it makes God’s truth more clear. I sin, but this brings glory to God. That is why God should not judge me for my sins.”
8 Such people say, “We will do what is evil, because evil brings good.” They slander us and say that we teach others to act this way. God will judge such people justly.
9 So, are we Jews better than other nations? Of course not. We have already proved that both Jews and the rest of the nations are under the power of sin.
10 Scripture says, “There is no one who is righteous.
11 There is no one who is truly wise. No one seeks God.
12 All have turned away from the Lord. There is no one who meets His requirements. No one does good — not a single person. (Psalm 14:1–3, 53:1–3).
13 Their words are like the stench from an open grave. They speak lies. Their speech is dangerous, like the venom of a viper. (Psalm 5:9, 140:3).
14 They shower others with curses and offend with bitter words. (Psalm 10:7).
15 They are ready to kill each other.
16 On their way, they destroy everything and bring misery.
17 They do not know how to live in peace with others. (Isaiah 59:7–8).
18 They have no fear of God at all” (Psalm 36:1).
19 God gave His Law to the Jews. We know that they live under the authority of the Law of Moses. When this Law speaks, everyone becomes silent. No one can say anything in his own defense. The whole world becomes guilty before God.
20 God does not give His righteousness to the one who keeps the Law of Moses. All people break this Law, so they understand what sin is.
21 But now God sets us free from keeping the Law of Moses. He gives us His righteousness, which the Law of Moses and the prophets spoke about earlier.
22 The righteousness of God belongs to all who believe in Jesus Christ. There is no difference between Jews and other nations.
23 All people have sinned, and no one can come close to the glory of God.
24 But God gave us His righteousness by His grace. With His blood Christ paid for our freedom from sin.
25 God decided in advance that Jesus would become a sacrifice for sin and pay for our sins with His blood. The blood of Jesus cleanses from sin the one who believes in Him. Through the sacrifice of Christ God showed His righteousness and forgave the sins that people committed in the past.
26 At that time God showed His great patience. At the present time He shows His righteousness through Christ. God is righteous, and He gives His righteousness to the one who believes in Jesus.
27 Can we boast that we kept the Law of Moses, and that is why God gave us His righteousness? No, that is not possible. Now we gladly say that we live by the law of faith.
28 We acknowledge that God gives His righteousness to a person because he believes in Jesus, not because he keeps the Law of Moses.
29 Did God create only the Jewish people? Of course not! He created all nations.
30 So if a circumcised Jew believes in Jesus, God will give him His righteousness. The same God will give His righteousness to an uncircumcised person from another nation if he believes in Jesus.
31 Does our faith in Christ cancel the role that the Law of Moses played in God’s plan? Of course not, because through faith in Jesus, a person receives the righteousness of God that the Law of Moses spoke about.
Chapter 4
1 What should we say about our father Abraham? Suppose he earned righteousness through his own efforts.
2 Then Abraham could boast about his works, because if he had earned his own righteousness, he would not have needed God’s righteousness.
3 But what does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God. God saw his faith and gave him His righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
4 The one who works receives a wage for his work. This is not a gift, but an earned payment.
5 A sinful person cannot earn righteousness through his actions. But if he believes in Jesus, God will set such a person free from sin. God will see his faith and give him His righteousness.
6 King David also calls blessed the person to whom God gives His righteousness, even though he did not deserve it by his actions,
7 “Blessed is the person whose every wrong action God forgives, though he broke God’s law. Blessed is the person whose sins God does not remind him of.”
8 Blessed is the person whose guilt for sin God takes away” (Psalm 32:1–2).
9 Who does God give this blessing to? To a circumcised Jew or to an uncircumcised person from another nation? We say that Abraham believed God. God saw his faith and gave him His righteousness.
10 When did God do this? Before circumcision or after? God called Abraham a righteous person even before he was circumcised.
11 And through circumcision, God confirmed that He had already given His righteousness to Abraham. Circumcision became a seal of righteousness that God placed on his body as a sign. But Abraham believed God even before circumcision. So Abraham became the father of all believers who have not been circumcised. God sees their faith and gives them His righteousness.
12 Abraham also became the father of all who have been circumcised. But the circumcised Jews must follow in Abraham’s footsteps. They must believe as Abraham believed even before circumcision.
13 Through faith, God gave Abraham His righteousness. God promised Abraham and his descendants that He would give them the whole world as an inheritance. Abraham received this promise through faith, not on the basis of the Law of Moses.
14 Suppose that God would give an inheritance to those who keep the Law of Moses. In that case, faith would not be needed. Then God would have to cancel the promise that Abraham received through faith.
15 God pours out His wrath on people because they break His Law. But if there is no law, there is no guilt for wrongdoing.
16 Through faith we receive God’s promise. God does this by His grace. So this promise belongs to all the descendants of Abraham who believe as Abraham believed. And it does not matter whether a person lives according to the Law of Moses or not. Abraham became the father of all of us who believe in God.
17 God said to Abraham, “I have made you the father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5). Abraham stood in God’s presence and believed that God could bring the dead back to life. He believed that God speaks about things that do not exist as if they already exist.
18 God said to him, “Abraham, you will have many descendants.” Even when Abraham had no hope left, he kept hoping and believing. So he became the father of many nations.
19 Abraham’s faith did not became weak. He did not think that he was almost 100 years old and no longer had the strength he had before. He also did not think that Sarah had become old and could not become pregnant.
20 Abraham did not doubt that God would fulfill His promise, so Abraham did not allow unbelief to enter his heart. Instead, he glorified God and made his faith stronger.
21 Abraham was completely confident that God could fulfill everything He had promised.
22 That is why God gave Abraham His righteousness.
23 The Scripture says, “God saw Abraham’s faith and gave him His righteousness.” But this is written not only about Abraham.
24 The Scripture says the same thing about all believers. We believe in God who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. God sees our faith and gives us His righteousness.
25 Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. But God raised Him from the dead so that we could receive God’s righteousness.
Chapter 5
1 Through faith we have received God’s righteousness, and now we are reconciled to God. This was made possible because of what our Lord Jesus Christ did for us.
2 We live in the grace that we have received through faith in Jesus. This grace fills us with joy and gives us confidence that one day we will enter God’s glory.
3 We rejoice even when we go through suffering. We know that trials teach us to be patient.
4 And patience develops in us a strong character. A person with a strong character will fully rely on God.
5 The one who relies on God will never be disappointed, because God has given us the Holy Spirit and poured out His love into our hearts.
6 We rejected God and were unable to do what is right. But at the appointed time, Christ died for us, sinners.
7 It is unlikely that anyone would want to give his life for another person, even if he is truly good. Perhaps someone would even dare to die for such a person who has done him a lot of good.
8 But Christ died for us while we were still living in sin. In this way, God proved how much He loves us.
9 The blood of Christ has cleansed us from sin, and God has given us His righteousness. That is why we are now even more confident that Christ will save us from God’s wrath.
10 When God’s Son died, He reconciled us to God, even though at that time we were still hostile to Him. But when we turned to God, we ourselves were reconciled to Him. That is why we now have even greater confidence that Christ will save us from death and give us life.
11 We are so grateful to God for what Jesus Christ has done for us, because through Him we have been reconciled to God!
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world through one man. That is why since that time everyone has been born sinful. Along with sin, death entered the world. That is why because of Adam, everyone started dying.
13 People sinned even before God gave the Law through Moses. But sin was not counted against them because there was no law that they could break.
14 That is why people could not go against God’s command, as Adam did. But from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, people died, and death reigned over the world. And just as Adam brought death to all, so Christ brought life to all.
15 What a huge difference there is between what Adam did and what God did for us! The sin of one man, Adam, brought death to all humanity. But another Man, Jesus Christ, brought life to all, because God’s grace is far greater than Adam’s sin.
16 There is the same huge difference between condemnation and justification. One sin of Adam made all humanity guilty, and the whole world came under God’s condemnation. But through Christ, God gave all people His grace. He removed their guilt for all sins and gave them His righteousness.
17 Because of the sin of one man, death reigned over the world. But through another Man, Jesus Christ, abundant grace and righteousness from God came into the world. Now all who receive this as a gift will reign in life through Jesus Christ.
18 One sin of Adam brought condemnation to all people. But one righteous act of Jesus Christ brought God’s righteousness and life to all people.
19 Adam disobeyed God, so because of one man all became sinners. But another man, Jesus Christ, obeyed God. Now because of Him, many will become righteous.
20 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world, though there was no Law yet. But later God gave His Law through Moses. When people broke this Law, they understood how many sins they were committing. People sinned more and more, and then God gave His grace in great abundance.
21 In the past, sin reigned over all people and brought them death. But now grace reigns through God’s righteousness and leads us to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapter 6
1 Some people say, “If we keep sinning, God will give us even more of His grace.” But of course, this is not true.
2 We have died to sin. How can we keep living in it?
3 Don’t you know? When we were baptized in water, we were all united with Jesus Christ in His death.
4 During baptism, we went under the water. This was a sign that we died, just as Jesus died. But God the Father showed His glory when He raised Christ from the dead. That is why during baptism, we also rose from the water. This was a sign that we were resurrected, like Jesus, and now we live a new life.
5 Water baptism united us with the death of Jesus. And, of course, it also united us with His resurrection.
6 We know that together with Christ we crucified the old sinful nature of our inner person. That is why sin has no power over us, and we are no longer subject to it as slaves.
7 We have died to sin. The one who has died is free from the power of sin.
8 We have died with Christ. And we believe that we will also live with Christ.
9 We know that Christ has been raised from the dead. He will never die again, because death has lost its power over Him.
10 Christ died to conquer sin once and for all. But He rose again, and now His whole life belongs to God.
11 That is why you should also consider yourselves as those who are dead to sin. Remember that you now live for God, and your life belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ.
12 Do not let sin reign in your mortal body. And do not obey your sinful desires.
13 In the past, you were spiritually dead because of your sins, but now God has given you life. That is why do not surrender your body to the power of sin. Otherwise, your body will become an instrument that serves evil. Instead, dedicate your life to God, so that your body may become an instrument that serves righteousness.
14 God has set you free from keeping the Law of Moses and given you His grace. That is why sin should no longer rule over your life.
15 Consider this: if we live by grace, and not by the Law of Moses, does that mean we can sin? Of course not!
16 Don’t you understand? You become slaves to whatever you obey. If you obey sin, you become slaves of sin, and sin leads to death. But if you obey God, you become slaves of righteousness, and righteousness leads to life.
17 In the past, you lived in slavery to sin. But now you have started following the teachings of Christ sincerely, so we thank God for you.
18 You have been set free from slavery to sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
19 I will give you a simple example. In the past, you gave your bodies over to slavery to immorality and wickedness, and this led you to even greater wickedness. But now give your bodies over to slavery to righteousness and live holy lives.
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from righteousness.
21 What was so good about what you were doing at that time? Now you are ashamed of those actions, because all of it led you to death.
22 But now you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God. The result of your new life is holiness, and holiness leads you to eternal life.
23 The wages of sin are death. But the gift of God is eternal life in our Lord Christ Jesus.
Chapter 7
1 Brothers, I am speaking to those who know the Law of Moses. The Law has authority over a person only as long as he lives.
2 When a woman gets married, the Law binds her to her husband. But if the husband dies, according to the Law she becomes free from this marriage.
3 If she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she will be guilty of adultery. But if her husband dies, according to the Law she becomes free. That is why she will not be guilty if she marries again.
4 Brothers, this is what I mean. When Christ died for us on the cross, you died with Him and lost your connection to the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses no longer has authority over your life. Now you belong to Christ, whom God raised from the dead. That is why live in such a way that your actions and character bring joy to God.
5 When we were under the authority of our sinful nature, sinful desires were at work in our bodies. The Law of Moses pointed out our sins to us, but the Law did not save us from them. We acted according to our sinful desires, which led us to death.
6 We used to live according to the Law of Moses. But now we have died to the Law and have become free from its authority. There was a time when we followed the letter of the Law and fulfilled all its rules. In this way, we served God. But now we do not serve God in the old way. He has given us the Holy Spirit, and we serve God in a new way.
7 What should we say? Did sin come into my life because God gave us His Law? Of course not! But it was the Law of Moses that pointed out my sins to me, so I understood what sin is. If the Law of Moses had said nothing about envy, I would not even have understood that it is wrong to envy.
8 When I heard God’s commandment, I realized that I was sinning. And sin awakened various sinful desires in me. If there had been no Law, people would not have known that sin lived within them.
9 In the past, I lived without understanding what the Law of Moses said about sin. That is why I did not realize that I was sinning. But when I understood what God’s commandment taught, I saw that sin lived within me, and I was spiritually dead.
10 God gave His commandment so that I could live. But the commandment pointed out my sin, and sin brought me death.
11 I heard God’s commandment and realized that when I break it, I sin. But sin deceived me, and I started thinking that it was God’s commandment killing me, not my sin.
12 We know that it was God who gave the Law of Moses, so this Law is holy. And every commandment of God is by its nature holy, just, and good.
13 Did the good commandment of God become the cause of my death? Of course not! It was sin that brought me death. Sin used God’s good commandment and brought me spiritual death. When I break God’s commandment, I see how terrible sin is.
14 We know that it was God who gave the Law of Moses, so this Law is spiritual. But I am sold into slavery to sin, and I am under its authority.
15 I do not understand myself. I want to do what is right. But instead, I do things that I hate.
16 I agree that God gave a good Law. But I still do what is wrong, even though I don’t want to.
17 What does make me do these actions? Sin lives in me, and it is stronger than me.
18 I know that there is nothing good in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I don’t have the strength to do it.
19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t do it. And I don’t want to do evil, but I still do it.
20 I do what is wrong, even though I want to do what is right. This happens because sin lives in me, and it is stronger than me.
21 I notice that when I want to do what is right, I cannot overcome my sinful nature and I do what is wrong.
22 When I think about God’s Law, I rejoice.
23 But there is a law of sin in my body that holds me in bondage. Deep inside, I want to do what is right. But the law of sin is at war with what my mind wants to do.
24 What a miserable person I am! Who will rescue me from this mortal body in which sin lives?
25 In my mind I want to obey God’s Law. However, my sinful nature makes me a slave to sin. But now I praise God for giving us freedom from sin through what our Lord Jesus Christ has done.
Chapter 8
1 Now we belong to Jesus Christ, and God no longer condemns us for sin. That is why act as the Holy Spirit desires. And do not submit to your old sinful nature.
2 God’s Spirit has written His law on our hearts and has given us life. Through Jesus Christ, God has set us free from the law of sin, which brings death.
3 The Law of Moses had no power to change human sinful nature. That is why God sent His Son to earth and gave Him a body like the body of a sinful person. God gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. When God’s Son took upon Himself our sin, God pronounced His judgment over sin.
4 But to us God has given His righteousness, and the Law of Moses spoke about righteousness. Now we must act as the Holy Spirit desires. We must not submit to our old sinful nature.
5 The one who submits to his sinful nature thinks about sin. But the one who submits to the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things.
6 If a person thinks about sin, he will die. But if a person thinks about spiritual things, he will receive life and peace.
7 The sinful nature of a person does not submit to God’s Law, because it is incapable of doing so. When a person thinks about sin, he is at enmity with God.
8 That is why the one who submits to his sinful nature cannot please God and fulfill His will.
9 But now the Spirit of God lives within you. That is why you no longer submit to your sinful nature. You live under the guidance of the Spirit of God. But if a person does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
10 But Christ lives within you. Because of sin, your body will die. However, your spirit will live because God has given you His righteousness.
11 God raised Jesus from the dead by His Spirit. Now that same Spirit lives within you. And just as God raised Christ, He will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives within you.
12 Brothers, we are not obligated to obey our sinful nature. That is why we should not live in sin.
13 If you live in sin, you will die. But if you overcome your sinful actions by the power of the Holy Spirit and no longer return to your old sinful life, you will live.
14 Now you are children of God. And all children of God are led and guided by the Spirit of God.
15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again. Instead, God gave you His Spirit, who made you children of God. Through this Spirit of God we call God, “Father! Father!”
16 The same Spirit of God confirms to our spirit that we have become children of God.
17 Children receive an inheritance. This means that we have become heirs of God. That is why together with Christ, we will receive God’s inheritance. This also means that we suffer together with Christ. And together with Him we will enter God’s glory.
18 I am convinced that the temporary sufferings we are experiencing now cannot be compared to the glory that God will reveal to us in the future.
19 All of God’s creation eagerly awaits the day when God will reveal who His children are.
20 When Adam sinned, the whole world lost its perfection and fell under the curse. Since that time, all of God’s creation has been in this condition against its will. That is why it is now subject to suffering, destruction, and death. But God gave hope to all of His creation.
21 One day God will set His creation free from destruction and death. He will give it the same freedom and glory that His children will receive.
22 We know that until now all of God’s creation groans in pain and suffers, like a woman in childbirth.
23 But not only God’s creation suffers, we also experience suffering within ourselves. God gave us His Spirit, which became the beginning of our new life. That is why we await the day when God will fully adopt us and redeem our bodies.
24 When God saved us, He gave us firm hope that we would enter His glory. What is hope? Hope is the expectation of what we do not yet see. That is why we await the day when God will fulfill His promise. When our hope is fulfilled, we will no longer need it.
25 We hope for what we do not yet see. That is why we patiently wait for it to be fulfilled.
26 The Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak. We do not know what to pray for or how to pray properly, but the Spirit Himself prays for us with deep compassion. He speaks to God with groans that cannot be expressed in words.
27 God sees what is happening in our hearts. He also knows what the Holy Spirit is asking for, because this Spirit prays for believers with deep compassion and in complete agreement with the will of God.
28 We know that God turns every situation into good for those who love Him and live according to His calling and plan.
29 God knew in advance those who would belong to Him. And He decided to make them like His Son. That is why Jesus became the firstborn among many of God’s children.
30 God decided in advance whom He would call to Himself. Those He called, He set free from sin and gave them His righteousness. And for them, God prepared His glory.
31 What does this mean? If God is on our side, who can be against us?
32 God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him as a sacrifice so that He would die for all of us. Will God not also give us everything else along with Christ?
33 God has chosen us. Who will dare to accuse us? God Himself set us free from sin and gave us His righteousness.
34 Who will condemn us? Jesus Christ died for us and rose again. Now He sits in heaven in the most honorable place at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.
35 Is there anything that can take away the love of Christ from us? Troubles, difficulties, persecution, hunger, lack of basic things, danger, or death by the sword?
36 Scripture says, “We belong to You. That is why every day we face deadly threats and hostility. People treat us like sheep who are led to the slaughter” (Psalm 44:22).
37 But we overcome all suffering and have complete victory through Christ, who loves us.
38 I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor evil spirits, will be able to take away the love of Christ from us. Nothing will be able to do this, neither in the present nor in the future.
39 There is no power above or below that can separate us from the love of God, which God has shown us through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapter 9
1 I belong to Christ and I am telling you the truth. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm that I am not lying.
2 I feel great sorrow, and my heart is heavy.
3 I want so much that my own Jewish people would turn to Christ! If I could, I would give up my own salvation for my people. And I myself would fall under a curse and be separated from Christ.
4 God adopted the Israelite people and showed them His glory. He made Unbreakable Agreements with the Jews and gave them His Law. The Israelites worshipped God, and He gave them His promises.
5 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the ancestors of the Israelite people. From this people, Christ was born in a human body. Christ is God. He reigns over all creation and is worthy of eternal glory. Amen.
6 The Israelites rejected Christ. But does this mean that God did not fulfill His word? Of course not. The Israelite people descended from Jacob, whom God called Israel, and Jacob became the father of this entire nation. But not all who were born into the Israelite nation became God’s people.
7 And not all of Abraham’s children inherited the promises that God gave him. God said to Abraham, “Sarah will give birth to Isaac, and your descendants will come from him.” (Genesis 17:19, 21:12).
8 Besides Isaac, Abraham had many other children. But they were born out of human desire. They were not the children God spoke about. It was through Isaac that God fulfilled the promise He had made to Abraham. That is why it was Isaac who continued Abraham’s family line.
9 This is the promise God gave to Abraham, “In a year I will come again, and Sarah will have a son.” (Genesis 18:10, 14).
10 God gave the same promise not only to Abraham. When Rebekah became Isaac’s wife, she also could not get pregnant, just like Sarah. But God fulfilled His promise, and Rebekah gave birth to twins. That is why it was Isaac who continued Abraham’s family line.
11 God spoke to Rebekah about her sons before they were born. At that time, they had not yet done anything bad or good. God decides His purpose in advance and chooses the one who will carry out His plan.
12 God does not call a person to Himself because of what he does. Even before the twins were born, God said to Rebekah, “The older son will serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).
13 God says in Scripture: “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.” This means that God chose Jacob, not Esau. (Malachi 1:2–3).
14 What should we say? Does God act unjustly? Of course not.
15 God said to Moses, “I decide who I will show mercy to, and I decide who I will have compassion on.” (Exodus 33:19).
16 God’s grace does not depend on human desires or efforts. God’s grace depends only on God.
17 God said in Scripture, “Pharaoh, My purpose was that the whole earth might know My name. That is why I gave you authority and showed My power over you” (Exodus 9:16).
18 So, if God wants, He will show mercy to a person. And if God wants, He will harden a person’s heart.
19 But someone might say to me, “In that case, what am I guilty of? Who can resist what God wants to do?”
20 Who are you, O man, to argue with God? Can what is created say to its Creator, “Why did you make me like this?”
21 A potter makes different kinds of pots. Doesn’t he have the right to make both an expensive vessel and a simple pot for waste from the same piece of clay?
22 People rejected God. That is why He wanted to pour out His wrath on them and show His power. But He showed great patience toward the “vessels of wrath”—the people who were going to destruction.
23 At the same time, God wanted to show the riches of His glory to the “vessels of mercy”—the people to whom He showed mercy. God prepared these people in advance so that they would enter His glory.
24 We are those people. When God called us to Himself, not only Jews came to Him, but also people from other nations.
25 God said about these nations, “I will call My people those who were never My people. I will call beloved those who never knew My love” (Hosea 2:23).
26 In the past, God said to those people, “You are not My people.” But now God says to them, “You have become sons of the living God” (Hosea 1:10).
27 The prophet Isaiah warned the people of Israel, “God will save only a remnant of His people, even if there are as many people in Israel as the sand on the seashore.
28 The Lord will quickly carry out His final judgment on the earth” (Isaiah 10:22–23).
29 The prophet Isaiah also predicted, “If the Almighty Lord had not left us descendants who believe in God, then we would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah” (Isaiah 1:9).
30 What should we say? People from other nations did not seek to receive God’s righteousness. But they believed in Christ, and God gave them this righteousness.
31 But the people of Israel tried to become righteous through the Law of Moses, and they did not receive God’s righteousness.
32 Why? Because the people did not seek to become righteous through faith in God. They tried to become righteous through the works they did based on the Law of Moses. That is why they stumbled over Christ, like a stone that stood in their way to God.
33 God said in the Scriptures, “I will lay in Mount Zion a stone that will cause people to stumble. They will fall because of this rock. But the one who believes in Him will never be disappointed” (Isaiah 8:14, 28:16).
Chapter 10
1 Brothers, with all my heart I want Israel to receive salvation. That is why I pray to God about this.
2 I can testify that they are eager to serve God, but they do not have the right understanding.
3 The people of Israel do not understand what God’s righteousness is. They seek to establish their own righteousness. That is why they reject God’s righteousness.
4 The Law of Moses led people to Christ. When Christ came, this Law fulfilled the purpose for which God gave it to people. Now God makes righteous everyone who believes in Jesus.
5 Moses writes about how to receive righteousness based on the Law, “The one who keeps all the commandments of this Law will live by them” (Leviticus 18:5).
6 Here is the meaning of the righteousness that a person receives through faith. Christ has already come from heaven and brought us God’s Word, so that we may live by this Word. Now this Word of God is near you. So do not say in your heart, “Who will go up to heaven and bring this Word down to us?”
7 Christ has already risen from the dead. So do not say, “If God’s Word is hidden so deeply, as if in the deepest depths, then who will go down there and bring it to us?”
8 What does Scripture say (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)? Now God’s Word is so near you! You can speak this Word and receive it with all your heart. This is the word of faith that we preach.
9 If you openly confess that Jesus is your Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 When a person believes with his heart, God gives him His righteousness. When a person openly speaks about his faith, God gives him salvation.
11 The Scripture says, “The one who believes in Christ will never be disappointed” (Isaiah 28:16).
12 So there is no difference between Jews and people from other nations, because we all have the same Lord Jesus. And He generously blesses all who call on Him.
13 Everyone who comes to Jesus and acknowledges Him as his Lord will be saved.
14 First, a person must hear the Good News about Christ. Then he can believe in Jesus and come to Him.
15 So God sends people to preach about Christ. The Scripture says, “How beautiful are those who go to spread the Good News! They bring peace and goodness.” (Isaiah 52:7).
16 But not everyone accepts the Good News. The prophet Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what we have preached?” (Isaiah 53:1).
17 So faith comes when a person hears God’s Word.
18 But I want to ask, “Didn’t they hear the Word of God?” Of course they did. “The whole earth heard the voice of the preachers. The whole world heard what they said.” (Psalm 19:4-5).
19 I will ask again, “Didn’t Israel know what God had said?” Israel knew, because God first spoke through Moses, “You have turned away from Me. So I will turn to those whom you did not consider to be God’s people. Then you will become jealous. And those people from other nations, who did not know Me before, will irritate you” (Deuteronomy 32:21).
20 The prophet Isaiah also boldly spoke on behalf of God, “Those who did not seek Me found Me. I revealed Myself to those who did not ask Me about it” (Isaiah 65:1).
21 But concerning Israel God said, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient people, who were stubborn and rebelled against Me.” (Isaiah 65:2).
Chapter 11
1 I want to ask again, “Has God rejected His people?” Of course not. I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God has not rejected His people. Instead, He decided long ago that Israel would belong to Him. Don’t you know what Scripture says about the prophet Elijah? He complained to God about Israel,
3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and destroyed the places where they offered sacrifices to You. I am left alone. Now they want to kill me also” (1 Kings 19:10).
4 What did God answer Elijah? “I have seven thousand people who have not bowed their knees to the idol Baal” (1 Kings 19:18).
5 The same is happening now. God has given the Israelites His grace. He has chosen a small group of people among them who have remained faithful to Him, as it was in the time of the prophet Elijah.
6 Grace is a gift from God that cannot be earned by our works. But if we receive something because of our actions, it can no longer be called grace.
7 So what happened? Israel tried to earn God’s grace through their works, and so they were unable to receive it. But God gave His grace to those He chose. And the rest hardened their hearts.
8 Scripture says, “God gave them a spirit of sleep that made them spiritually unresponsive. They became blind, so they do not see the truth. They became deaf, so they do not hear God’s voice. And this continues to this day.” (Deuteronomy 29:4, Isaiah 29:10).
9 King David said that even blessings would turn into punishment for them because of their stubbornness, “May the table set before them become a snare, and may they fall into a trap. May they stumble over a stone and receive what they deserve.
10 May their eyes be blinded and never see. May their backs never straighten under the heavy burden” (Psalm 68:23-24).
11 And I will ask, “Has Israel stumbled so badly that they can no longer rise?” Of course not! Israel fell away from God, and that is why God is now saving people from other nations. But this will awaken jealousy in Israel and a desire to return to God.
12 When Israel fell away from God, it brought blessing to the whole world and enriched other nations. How much more blessings will the whole world receive when Israel returns to God!
13 God gave me the apostolic ministry so that I could work among you, believers from different nations. And I greatly value my ministry.
14 I hope that my work among other nations will encourage my own Jewish people to seek God again with all their hearts. Then at least some of them will be saved.
15 When Israel rejected Christ, it brought reconciliation between God and the world. But when Israel accepts Christ, it will be like new life from death for the world.
16 When the first harvest is ripe, you make dough and offer the first loaf to God. Then God sanctifies all the remaining dough. God sanctified our father Abraham, so his descendants are also sanctified. If the root is holy, the branches are also holy.
17 But some of Abraham’s descendants were broken off, like branches of an olive tree. And you, a person from another nation, God grafted in their place, like a wild branch. Now the root that nourishes the entire olive tree gives life to you as well. So you receive the same blessings that God promised to Abraham and his descendants.
18 But do not consider yourself better than those branches that were broken off from the tree. Remember that it is not you who nourishes the root, but the root nourishes you.
19 But someone will say, “These branches were broken off so that God could graft me in their place.”
20 Yes, that is true. But remember that those Israelites who did not believe in Christ were broken off from the tree like branches. You believed in Christ, and God grafted you into this tree. So do not be proud, but respond with awe and gratitude.
21 God broke off those branches that used to be part of this tree. But if you lose faith in Christ, God will not spare you either.
22 So you see God’s kindness and strictness. God is strict toward those who have fallen away and disobey Him. But toward you, He shows His kindness. So do not take God’s kindness lightly, otherwise He will cut you off as well, like a branch from this tree.
23 But if the Israelites stop rejecting Christ and believe in Him, God will restore them to their former place and graft them back into this tree.
24 You are a person from another nation. God cut you off like a branch from a wild olive tree, and against nature He grafted you into a cultivated olive tree. So how much more will God be able to restore the natural branches to their own place and graft them back into the tree where they originally grew.
25 Brothers, I want to reveal a secret to you, so that you do not think that you are better than the people of Israel. God has already determined the number of people from other nations who will enter His Kingdom. Now part of the people of Israel has hardened their hearts against Christ. This will continue until the full number of people from other nations comes to Jesus.
26 Then all Israel who turn to Christ will be saved. Scripture says, “The Deliverer will come from Mount Zion in Jerusalem and will deliver the people of Jacob from their sins.
27 God promised, “I will cleanse My people from their sins and make an Unbreakable Agreement with them” (Isaiah 59:20-21).
28 Now part of Israel is resisting the Good News about Christ. So salvation has come to you, people from other nations. But God chose Israel. He continues to love them because He gave His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the ancestors of the Jewish people.
29 God never takes back His gifts or cancels His calling.
30 In the past, you, people from other nations, disobeyed God, but now God has shown you mercy. This happened because Israel rejected the Good News about Christ.
31 Now Israel still does not accept Christ, so God is giving His mercy to you, people from other nations. But the time will come when God will give His mercy to Israel as well.
32 Everyone has come under the power of sin because no one obeyed God. So God will show His mercy to everyone.
33 How great are the riches, wisdom, and knowledge of God! How mysterious are all His decisions! And how unexplainable are all His ways!
34 Who can understand the Lord’s plan, His intentions, and His actions? Who can give Him advice?
35 Is it possible for anyone to make God his debtor? We cannot lend Him anything.
36 God is the source of everything. He holds everything together by His power. Everything He created exists for Him. May all creation glorify Him forever. Amen.
Chapter 12
1 Brothers, God has shown us His mercy. So I urge you to give your whole life to Him. Your bodies should not serve sin. Instead, fully give yourselves to God. Then He will gladly accept your life as a living and holy sacrifice. And you will understand the true meaning and purpose of your service to God.
2 Do not follow the values of this world that go against God’s Word. Renew your mind to understand what God wants to do. His intentions are always good. His plans are the best ones for us, and they fit us perfectly.
3 God has given me His grace, and I say to each of you: do not think that your ministry is better than other ministries. Instead, be honest with yourselves and see yourselves as you really are. Remember that God has given each person his own measure of faith, so that each person could do the ministry that God has entrusted to him.
4 Look at the human body: it is made up of many parts, and each part has its own role.
5 The same thing happens in the Church. There are many of us, and we are all very different. But Christ has united us, so the Church is the one Body of Christ. Now each of us is connected to other believers, as part of one body.
6 God has given us His grace, and we have received different gifts. If someone has the gift of prophecy, he should speak what God reveals to him, according to his faith.
7 If someone has the gift of serving, he should help those who need help. If God has given someone the gift of teaching, he should teach others.
8 If someone has the gift of encouraging, he should strengthen people’s faith. If someone has the opportunity to engage in charitable work, he should do it generously. If someone has the ability to lead, he should take his responsibility seriously. If someone is able to show compassion to others, he should help those in trouble and do it without irritation.
9 Show sincere love for one another. Hate everything that brings evil and strive to do good.
10 Love one another as brothers. Build warm, family-like relationships in the church. Appreciate and respect one another, even when you have different opinions and personalities.
11 Do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with full dedication and with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
12 Rely on God with all your heart, and it will fill you with joy. Be patient when you go through suffering. Make prayer a regular part of your life.
13 Help believers when they face difficulties. Share with them what you have and show sincere hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless them, and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and cry with those who cry.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not think that you are better than others. Do not avoid fellowship with people who are considered lowly. And do not think that you are wiser than everyone else.
17 Do not repay evil with evil. Instead, strive to do what is right, even if you are in a difficult situation.
18 Do everything possible to live in peace with everyone.
19 My dear friends, do not take revenge for yourselves. Instead, give your situation to God, and He Himself will pour out His wrath on your enemies. The Lord says in Scripture, “I will take revenge, and every person will receive what he deserves” (Deuteronomy 32:35).
20 So if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Then he will feel such burning conviction of his conscience, as if somebody put burning coals on his head.
21 Evil should not overcome you. If you respond to evil with good, you will defeat evil.
Chapter 13
1 Every person must submit to the governing authorities, because God created this system. Those who are now in power act within the order that God has established.
2 So if a person resists authority, he goes against God’s order. And the one who does this will bring punishment on himself.
3 Authority is not a threat to those who do good, but only to those who do evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will receive its approval.
4 The governing authority serves God and works for your good. But God’s servant does not carry his sword for no reason. He has the right to punish those who do evil. That is why such people will live in fear of punishment.
5 You should submit to the authorities not only because of fear of punishment, but also because your conscience tells you to do it.
6 You pay taxes because God has entrusted those in authority with the responsibility of maintaining order. And they are constantly busy fulfilling their duties.
7 So give everything you are required to give. If you need to pay a tax or a fee, pay it. If you need to show respect to someone or give honor to someone, do it.
8 You should owe nothing to anyone, except one thing: you should always love one another. The one who loves another person has fulfilled the Law of Moses.
9 These are the commandments God gave through Moses, “Do not murder. Do not be unfaithful to your spouse. Do not steal. Do not covet what belongs to others.” The meaning of these commandments and of all the others is this, “Love another person as you love yourself.”
10 The one who loves does no harm to another person. So the one who loves fulfills the Law of Moses.
11 Do this and remember that the time has come to wake up spiritually. Now the day of our salvation is closer than when we first believed in Jesus.
12 The night has passed, and the day is near. So stop doing what you did in the darkness. Live in the light, do what is good, and this will become your weapon against the darkness.
13 We live in the light of day. So act the way God wants you to act. Do not live a wild life and do not get drunk. Do not engage in sexual immorality and sexual corruption. Do not quarrel or envy one another.
14 Instead, put on the new nature of God in your inner person. Then you will act like our Lord Jesus Christ. And you will not think about how to satisfy your sinful desires.
Chapter 14
1 Maintain fellowship with people whose faith is weak. And do not argue with them over issues that cause disagreement.
2 One person is confident that he can eat any kind of food. But another person, whose faith is still weak, doubts that God has made all food clean. He is afraid that he might accidentally eat meat offered to idols, so he eats only vegetables.
3 The one who eats everything should not look down on those who do not. And the one who refuses to eat certain foods should not judge those who eat everything. Remember that God has accepted each of you.
4 Do you think you have the right to judge someone who belongs to the Lord? Only the Lord decides whether His servant is right or wrong. And if His servant is wrong, God is able to correct him.
5 One person considers some days more important than others. But someone else thinks that all days are the same. Let each one act according to his own convictions.
6 Some people set apart one day and dedicate it to the Lord. But others believe that there are no special days, so they dedicate every day equally to God. One person eats all kinds of food and thanks God for it. But someone else refuses to eat certain foods, yet he still thanks God for what he has.
7 None of us lives for himself. Our whole life, from beginning to end, is in the Lord’s hands.
8 While we live, we belong to the Lord. One day our life on earth will end, and even then we will still be with Him. So we always belong to the Lord.
9 When Christ died and rose again, He showed that He has authority over life and death. That is why He is now Lord of those who are alive and of those whose life on earth has already ended.
10 Why then do you judge another believer? Why do you look down on him? Remember that one day we will all stand before Christ, and He will judge us.
11 The Lord says in Scripture, “I am the living God. Everyone will bow down before Me on his knees. Everyone will glorify Me and acknowledge that I am God” (Isaiah 45:23).
12 So, each of us will give an account to God for his life.
13 So stop judging one another. Instead, pay attention to how you act. Behave in such a way that you do not lead other believers astray or push them toward anything that might weaken their faith.
14 Because of the Lord Jesus, I know and am fully convinced that no food can make a person unclean. But if someone believes that he should not eat a certain food, and still he eats it, then he goes against his conscience. Then he will feel that he has done wrong and defiled himself.
15 If another believer gets upset because of what you eat, you are not acting in love toward him. Do not destroy the faith of your brother, for whom Christ died, because of your food.
16 You are confident that what you are doing is right. But your convictions should not become a cause for arguments or conflicts.
17 Neither food nor drink can show whether a person lives in God’s Kingdom. Instead, God’s Kingdom is manifested through righteousness, peace, and joy that the Holy Spirit gives.
18 So the one who acts righteously, lives in peace with God and people, and is filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit serves Christ. Such a person brings joy to God and earns the respect of others.
19 So do everything you can to live in peace with everyone and strengthen one another’s faith.
20 Do not argue with one another over food, and do not destroy what God is doing in another person’s life. No food can make a person unclean. But if another believer gets upset because of what you eat, then you are acting wrongly.
21 It is better to give up meat, wine, or anything else if another believer gets upset, goes against his conscience, or if his faith becomes weaker.
22 Do you believe that you are right? Let this be your personal conviction and let it remain between you and God. Blessed is the person who has made his choice and does not feel guilty.
23 But if you eat and doubt whether you are doing the right thing, you will feel guilty. In that case, you are acting against your faith. And that means you are sinning.
Chapter 15
1 We who are strong in faith should patiently support those who are weaker than us. We should not focus only on our own interests.
2 Instead, each of us should care about others. We should act in a way that benefits others and strengthens their faith.
3 Christ did not live for Himself, but for God. The Scripture says that He took upon Himself the insults that people spoke against God (Psalm 69:9).
4 What we read in Scripture today was written long before our time. All Scripture teaches us patience and helps us not lose hope.
5 God makes us patient. He encourages and supports us. May He help you live in harmony with one another and act according to the teaching of Jesus Christ.
6 Then all of you, in full unity, will glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Christ has accepted you. So accept one another, and in this way you will glorify God.
8 I say this because Christ served the Jews. And through Him, God showed them that He fulfills what He promised to our fathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
9 Christ also served people from other nations. And through Him, God showed them His mercy so that they would glorify Him. Scripture says, “Lord, I will praise You among the nations. I will sing praises to Your name” (Psalm 18:49).
10 Scripture also says, “Rejoice, all nations, together with His people” (Deuteronomy 32:43).
11 It is also said in Scripture, “Praise the Lord, all nations. Glorify Him, all peoples” (Psalm 117:1).
12 The prophet Isaiah also says, “A descendant from the family of King David will rise. He will rule over the nations, and all nations will put their hope in Him” (Isaiah 11:10).
13 God is the source of hope. Trust in Him, and He will fill you with great joy and peace. The Holy Spirit works in you with His power so that you will never lose this hope.
14 My brothers, I am confident that you are kind to one another. And you have all the knowledge you need to share it with one another.
15 Brothers, I am writing to you quite directly to remind you of the gift I received through God’s grace.
16 I serve Jesus Christ among different nations and, as a priest, I bring them to God. I share the Good News with them, and the Holy Spirit makes these nations holy. And such ministry brings joy to God.
17 So I also rejoice in everything that Jesus Christ does through me as I serve God.
18 I am not speaking about myself, but only about the work that Christ has done through me. When I preached to people from different nations, they believed what they heard and saw. So they turned to God in faith to live the way He wants.
19 God worked mightily through the power of His Spirit. He performed miracles, and people saw supernatural signs. As I traveled from Jerusalem to Illyricum, I spread the Good News of Christ everywhere.
20 I did not want to preach where someone else had already begun his ministry. So my goal was to go where people had not yet heard the name of Christ.
21 Scripture says, “Those who knew nothing about Him will see Him. Those who never heard about Him will learn about Him” (Isaiah 52:15).
22 I have wanted to come to you many times, but I was working in other places, so I postponed this trip.
23 For many years I have wanted to visit you. Now I have finished my ministry in the places where I preached before.
24 I am planning a trip to Spain, and on the way I will stop in Rome. I hope to see you and spend some time with you. After that, I would like you to help me get to Spain.
25 Now I am going to Jerusalem to serve God’s holy people.
26 The believers in Macedonia and Achaia have collected an offering to help the believers in Jerusalem who were in need.
27 They did this gladly, because they are grateful to the Jewish people. The Jews first shared their spiritual blessings with other nations. And now these nations should serve the Jews with their material blessings.
28 I will complete this task and personally deliver their offering to Jerusalem. After that, I will go to Spain and stop by to see you in Rome.
29 When I come to you, I will bring you the Good News about Christ. And I am confident that God will bless you abundantly.
30 Brothers, the Holy Spirit has filled us with His love. So in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I ask you to keep praying for me and for my challenging ministry.
31 Pray that God would deliver me from the unbelievers who live in Judea. Pray also that God’s holy people in Jerusalem would receive my ministry well.
32 And if it is God’s will, after that I will gladly come to you and find rest with you.
33 May God always be with you, and may His peace fill your hearts. Amen.
Chapter 16
1 I want to introduce you to our sister Phoebe, who serves as a deaconess in the church in the city of Cenchrea.
2 You are God’s holy people. And I ask you to welcome her in a worthy way, as a woman who has devoted her life to the Lord. She has helped me and many others. So now you also help her and provide her with everything she needs.
3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, who worked together with us for Jesus Christ.
4 I am grateful to them because they risked their lives for me. And all the churches made up of people from different nations are grateful to them as well. Greet the church that meets in their home.
5 Give my greetings to my dear brother Epenetus, who was the first to come to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.
7 Give my greetings to my relatives Andronicus and Junia, who were imprisoned with me. They believed in Christ before I did, and they are highly respected among the other apostles.
8 Greet Ampliatus, who has become especially dear to me as a brother in Christ.
9 Give my greetings to Urbanus, who worked together with us for the Lord. Also greet my dear brother Stachys.
10 Give my greetings to Apelles, who has gone through trials and shown his faithfulness to Christ. Greet all the believers in the household of Aristobulus.
11 Give my greetings to my relative Herodion. Greet also those in the household of Narcissus who have come to the Lord.
12 Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, who work for the Lord. Greet also our dear sister Persis, who has worked hard for the Lord.
13 Give my greetings to Rufus chosen by the Lord. Greet also his mother, who has become a mother to me as well.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the other brothers who are with them.
15 Give my greetings to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas, and all the believers who are with them.
16 As a sign of God’s holy love, greet one another with a brotherly kiss. All the churches that belong to Christ send you their greetings.
17 Brothers, you follow the teaching of Christ. So I strongly urge you to stay away from those who go against this teaching. Such people cause division and lead others into sin. So avoid fellowship with them.
18 Such people do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but pursue their own interests. They speak smoothly, flatter others, and take advantage of people’s trust to deceive them.
19 Everyone knows that when you came to God, you began to live the way God wants you to live, and it brings me joy. I want you to be wise in doing what is good and to have nothing to do with evil.
20 God is the source of peace. Soon He will crush Satan under your feet. Live in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
21 Timothy, who works with me for the Lord, sends you his greetings. My relatives Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater also greet you.
22 I, Tertius, wrote this letter as Paul dictated it. I also believe in the Lord and send you my greetings.
23 Gaius, who has warmly welcomed me and the whole church into his home, sends you his greetings. Brother Quartus and Erastus, who manages the city’s finances, also greet you.
24 Live in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
25 I preach the Good News about Jesus Christ. Through this message, God can make you strong. He gave me a revelation about a mystery that He had not revealed to anyone for many centuries.
26 The prophets spoke about this long ago in the Scriptures, and now the eternal God has revealed this mystery to people. He has entrusted us to tell it to all nations, so that they would believe in God and begin to live the way He wants them to live.
27 And through Jesus Christ, we will forever glorify the only wise God. Amen.