For since the creation of the world his invisible nature, even his eternal power and deity, has been clearly seen, being understood by the things that have been made. So they are without excuse;

for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

And since they did not see fit to retain the knowledge of God, God gave them over to a base mind, to do what ought not to be done.

They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, depravity. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,

Though they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

When Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.

They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts accusing or else excusing them

Much in every way! To begin with, they are entrusted with the oracles of God.

All have turned aside, together they have become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

"Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to practice deceit." "The poison of asps is under their lips."

and the way of peace they do not know."

(as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations") in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls things that do not exist as though they did.

They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.

nor are they all children of Abraham because they are his descendants; but, "Through Isaac shall your descendants be named."

"And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"

Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not according to knowledge.

For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

How then can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher?

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!"

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"

But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."

"Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life."

as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, down to this very day."

Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever."

So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? Certainly not! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous.

That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only by faith. So do not be proud, but stand in awe.

And they also, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.

so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy.

but as it is written: "They shall see who have not been told of him, and those who have not heard shall understand."

They were pleased to do it, and indeed they are in debt to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners; they are men of note among the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple.