Now I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that often I intended to come to you, and was prevented until now, in order that I might have some fruit among you also, just as also among the rest of the Gentiles.

For what I am doing I do not understand, because what I want [to do], this I do not practice, but what I hate, this I do.

But if what I do not want [to do], this I do, I agree with the law that [it is] good.

For the good that I want [to do], I do not do, but the evil that I do not want [to do], this I do.

But if what I do not want [to do], this I am doing, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that lives in me.

Consequently, I find the principle with me, the one who wants to do good, that evil is present with me.

For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you will not be wise {in your own sight}, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,

For rulers are not a [cause of] terror for a good deed, but for bad [conduct]. So do you want not to be afraid of authority? Do what [is] good, and you will have praise from it,

For [the report of] your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, and I want you to be wise toward what [is] good, but innocent toward what [is] evil.