The Righteous And Impartial Judgment Of God
1 So, whoever you are, you people do not have any excuse for judging people [Note: At this point Paul begins addressing the Jews. See verse 17]. For in a matter where you judge someone else [to be wrong] you [actually] condemn yourselves, because you are practicing the same things [you condemn them for doing].
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
1 Therefore you have (A)no excuse, (a)(B)everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which (C)you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
1 Therefore, any one of you(a)(A) who judges is without excuse.(B) For when you judge another,(C) you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.
1 Therefore, you have no excuse every one of you who judges. For when you pass judgment on another person, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, practice the very same things.
2 Now we [Jews] know that God's judgment against people who practice such things [i.e., the Gentiles] is according to truth. [Note: Some use "You say," at the beginning of the sentence, making it an assertion of the Jews which Paul sets about to answer].
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
2 We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth.
2 Now we know that God's judgment against those who act like this is based on truth.
3 But consider this, you people who judge others for practicing the same things you [yourselves] practice; do you think you will escape God's judgment [for this]?
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
3 But do you suppose this, (D)O man, (c)when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?
3 Do you really think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment?
3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on those who practice these things and then do them yourself, do you think you will escape God's judgment?
4 Or, do you despise the abundance of God's kindness and tolerance and patience [toward you], not realizing that His kindness is intended to cause you to repent? [i.e., to change your hearts and lives].
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
4 Or do you think lightly of (E)the riches of His (F)kindness and (G)tolerance and (H)patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness,(D) restraint,(E) and patience,(F) not recognizing(b) that God’s kindness(G) is intended to lead you to repentance?
4 Or are you unaware of his rich kindness, forbearance, and patience, that it is God's kindness that is leading you to repent?
5 But your stubbornness and refusal to repent are storing up wrath [i.e., punishment] for yourselves, [to be experienced] on the Day of Wrath [i.e., the day of judgment] when God's just judgment will be revealed.
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
5 But (d)because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart (I)you are storing up wrath for yourself (J)in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
5 But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath(H) for yourself in the day of wrath,(I) when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.
5 But because of your stubborn and unrepentant heart you are reserving wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
7 To the ones who continue doing what is good and who look for glory, honor and immortal life [God will give] never ending life.
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
7 to those who by (L)perseverance in doing good seek for (M)glory and honor and (N)immortality, (O)eternal life;
7 eternal life(K) to those who by persistence in doing good(L) seek glory, honor,(M) and immortality;(N)
7 eternal life to those who strive for glory, honor, and immortality by patiently doing good;
8 But to the ones who have selfish ambition [Note: Some translate these words "are contentious"] and refuse to obey the truth, but [instead] obey what is wrong, [God will bring] wrath, fury,
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
8 but to those who are (P)selfishly ambitious and (Q)do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
8 but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking(O) and disobey the truth(P) but are obeying unrighteousness;
8 but wrath and fury for those who in their selfish pride refuse to believe the truth and practice wickedness instead.
9 anguish and distress. He will bring these upon every human being who does wrong, upon the Jews first, then also upon the Greeks [i.e., Gentiles].
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
9 There will be (R)tribulation and distress (e)for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew (S)first and also of the Greek,
9 affliction and distress(Q) for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;(R)
9 There will be suffering and anguish for every human being who practices doing evil, for Jews first and for Greeks as well.
10 But [He will bring] glory, honor and peace upon every person who does what is good; upon the Jews first, then also upon the Greeks,
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
10 but (T)glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew (U)first and also to the Greek.
10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.
10 But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who practices doing good, initially for Jews but also for Greeks as well,
God's Judgment And The Law
12 For all those people [i.e., Gentiles] who have sinned without [knowing] the law of Moses will also be lost without [knowing] that law. And all those people [i.e., Jews] who have sinned under [the authority] of the law of Moses will be judged by [the requirements of] that law.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
12 For all who have sinned (f)(W)without the Law will also perish (g)without the Law, and all who have sinned (h)under the Law will be judged (i)by the Law;
12 All those who sinned without the law(T) will also perish without the law, and all those who sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
12 For all who have sinned apart from the Law will also perish apart from the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law.
The Call Of Levi; Eating With Sinners
13 For [it is] not those who hear the law of Moses who are right with God, but [it is] those who obey [the requirements of] that law [perfectly] who will be considered right with God.
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
13 for it is (X)not the hearers (j)of the Law who are (k)just before God, but the doers (l)of the Law will be justified.
13 For the hearers of the law(U) are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous.(d)
13 For it is not merely those who hear the Law who are righteous in God's sight. No, it is those who follow the Law, who will be justified.
God Will Judge People Who Are Not Jewish
14 (For when the [unconverted] Gentiles, who do not have the law of Moses, instinctively practice [some of] its requirements, they become their own lawmakers, even though they do not have the law of Moses.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
14 For when Gentiles who do not have (m)the Law do (n)(Y)instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having (o)the Law, are a law to themselves,
14 So, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, instinctively(V) do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law.
14 For whenever gentiles, who do not possess the Law, do instinctively what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the Law.
15 In doing this [i.e., practicing some of the requirements of the law of Moses], they demonstrate that these requirements are written in their hearts. Their conscience tells them this, and their thoughts alternately accuse them [of wrongdoing], or else endorse them [for doing right]).
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
15 in that they show (Z)the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
15 They show that the work of the law(e) is written on their hearts.(W) Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts will either accuse or excuse them(f)
15 They show that what the Law requires is written in their hearts, a fact to which their own consciences testify, and their thoughts will either accuse or excuse them
16 This will be done on the day when God judges the secrets of men's [hearts] through Christ Jesus, according to [the teaching of] my Gospel.
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
16 on the day when, (AA)according to my gospel, (AB)God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
16 on the day when God judges(X) what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.(Y)
16 on that day when God, through Jesus the Messiah, will judge people's secrets according to my gospel.
Jews Also Condemned By The Law
18 if you know His will and have been taught by the law of Moses to [evaluate and] give approval to what is best;
18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
18 and know His will and (q)(AD)approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,
18 and know his will, and approve of what is best because you have been instructed in the Law;
19 if you are confident that you can give [spiritual] guidance to blind people and enlightenment to those who are in [spiritual] darkness;
19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
19 and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness,
19 and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness,
20 if you are instructors of the ignorant, and teachers of babies [i.e., immature people] and possess in the law of Moses the [correct] form of knowledge and truth ---
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
20 a (r)corrector of the foolish, a teacher of (s)the immature, having in the Law (AE)the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,
20 an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the full expression(h) of knowledge and truth(AB) in the law—
20 an instructor of ignorant people, and a teacher of infants because you have the full content of knowledge and truth in the Law
21 since you teach other people [all of this], why do you not teach yourselves [these things]? You preach that a person should not steal, [but] do you steal?
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
21 you, therefore, (AF)who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who (t)preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?
21 you then, who teach another,(AC) don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal?
21 as you teach others, do you fail to teach yourself? As you preach against stealing, do you steal?
22 You say that a person should not commit adultery [i.e., sexual unfaithfulness to their mate], [but] do you commit adultery? You [claim to] hate idols, [but] do you rob [their] temples? [Note: It is difficult to determine how the Jews were doing this. Perhaps they were guilty of the "spirit" of idolatry by devoting their efforts and affections to material things instead of to God].
22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you (AG)rob temples?
22 You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples?(AD)
22 As you forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? As you abhor idols, do you rob temples?
24 For God's name is being spoken against among the Gentiles because of your behavior, just as it is written. [See Isa. 52:5].
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
24 For “(AI)the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles (AJ)because of you,” just as it is written.
24 As it is written, "God's name is being blasphemed among the gentiles because of you."
Circumcision Of The Heart
25 Now the practice of circumcision [i.e., the Jewish rite of identity, signifying the responsibility to observe the law of Moses] is worthwhile, providing you obey [the rest of] the law of Moses. But if you disobey the law, you might as well have never been circumcised.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you (AK)practice (v)the Law; but if you are a transgressor (w)of the Law, (AL)your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
25 For circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.(AG)
25 For circumcision is valuable if you observe the Law, but if you break the Law, your having been circumcised has no more value than if you were uncircumcised.
26 So, if an uncircumcised person [i.e., a Gentile] obeys [the rest of] the requirements of the law, will not the fact that he is not circumcised be considered [by God] as though he were?
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
26 (AM)So if (AN)the (x)uncircumcised man (AO)keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
26 Therefore if an uncircumcised(AH) man keeps the law’s requirements,(AI) will his uncircumcision not be counted as circumcision?
26 So if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the requirements of the Law, his uncircumcision will be regarded as circumcision, won't it?
27 So, will not those physically uncircumcised people [i.e., the Gentiles], who obey the law, condemn you [Jews] for breaking the law, even though you have the written code and [practice] circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
27 And (AP)he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not (AQ)judge you who (y)though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor (z)of the Law?
27 A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who fulfills the law, will judge you(AJ) who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision.
27 The man who is uncircumcised physically but who keeps the Law will condemn you who break the Law, even though you have the written Law and circumcision.
28 For that person is not a Jew who is one [merely] on the outside. And circumcision is not [merely] an outward physical ordinance.
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
28 For (AR)he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
28 For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly,(AK) and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh.
28 For a person is not a Jew because of his appearance, nor is circumcision something just external and physical.
29 But the [true] Jew is the person who is one on the inside, and [his] circumcision is a heart condition, [produced] by the Holy Spirit and not by the written law of Moses. [Note: Some translate "Spirit" here as "spirit" and make it simply an amplification of "heart"]. This person receives his praise from God and not [merely] from people.
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
29 But (AS)he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and (AT)circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the (AU)Spirit, not by the letter; (AV)and his praise is not from men, but from God.
29 On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly,(AL) and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter.(j)(AM) That man’s praise(k) is not from men but from God.(AN)
29 No, a person is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, brought about by the Spirit, not by a written law. That person's praise will come from God, not from people.