Jews Still Have An Advantage

1 What advantage, then, does the Jew have, or what value is there in circumcision?

1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

1 Then what (a)advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

1 So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

1 Then what is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

2 There are all kinds of advantages! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the utterances of God.

2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

2 Great in every respect. First of all, that (A)they were entrusted with the (B)oracles of God.

2 Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted(A) with the spoken words of God.(B)

2 Great in every respect. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God [His very (a)words].(A)

3 What if some of the Jews were unfaithful? Their unfaithfulness cannot cancel God's faithfulness, can it?

3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

3 What then? If (C)some (b)did not believe, their (c)unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?

3 What then? If some did not believe,(C) will their unbelief cancel God’s faithfulness?

3 What then? If some did not believe or were unfaithful [to God], their lack of belief will not nullify and make invalid the faithfulness of God and His word, will it?

4 Of course not! God is true, even if everyone else is a liar. As it is written, "You are right when you speak, and win your case when you go into court."

4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

4 (D)May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found (E)a liar, as it is written,(F)That You may be justified in Your words,And prevail when You (d)are judged.”

4 Absolutely not!(D) God must be true, even if everyone is a liar,(E) as it is written:That You may be justified in Your wordsand triumph when You judge.(F)(a)

4 Certainly not! Let God be found true [as He will be], though every person be found a liar, just as it is written [in Scripture],That You may be justified in Your words,And prevail when You are judged [by sinful men].”(B)

5 But if our unrighteousness serves to confirm God's righteousness, what can we say? God is not unrighteous when he vents his wrath on us, is he? (I am talking in human terms.)

5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

5 But if our unrighteousness (e)(G)demonstrates the righteousness of God, (H)what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? ((I)I am speaking in human terms.)

5 But if our unrighteousness highlights(b) God’s righteousness,(G) what are we to say?(H) I use a human argument:(c)(I) Is God unrighteous to inflict wrath?

5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God is not wrong to inflict His wrath [on us], is He? (I am speaking in purely human terms.)

6 Of course not! Otherwise, how could God judge the world?

6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

6 (J)May it never be! For otherwise, how will (K)God judge the world?

6 Absolutely not! Otherwise, how will God judge the world?(J)

6 Certainly not! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?

Crowds By The Sea

7 For if through my falsehood God's truthfulness glorifies him even more, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?

7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

7 But if through my lie (L)the truth of God abounded to His glory, (M)why am I also still being judged as a sinner?

7 But if by my lie God’s truth is amplified to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?(K)

7 But [as you might say] if through my lie God’s truth was magnified and abounded to His glory, why am I still being judged as a sinner?

8 Or can we say as some people slander us by claiming that we say "Let's do evil that good may result"? They deserve to be condemned!

8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “(N)Let us do evil that good may come”? (f)Their condemnation is just.

8 And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, “Let us do what is evil so that good may come”?(L) Their condemnation is deserved!

8 And why not say, (as some slanderously report and claim that we teach) “Let us do evil so that good may come of it”? Their condemnation [by God] is just.

The Entire World Guilty Of Sin

9 What, then, does this mean? Are we Jews any better off? Not at all! For we have already accused everyone, both Jews and Greeks, of being under the power of sin.

9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

9 What then? (g)(O)Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both (P)Jews and (Q)Greeks are (R)all under sin;

9 What then? Are we any better?(d) Not at all! For we have previously charged that both Jews(M) and Gentiles(e)(N) are all under sin,(f)(O)

9 Well then, are we [Jews] better off than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under the control of sin and subject to its power.

10 As it is written, "Not even one person is righteous.

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

10 as it is written,(S)There is none righteous, not even one;

10 as it is written:(g)There is no one righteous, not even one.

10 As it is written and forever remains written,There is none righteous [none that meets God’s standard], not even one.(C)

11 No one understands. No one searches for God.

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

11 There is none who understands,There is none who seeks for God;

11 There is no one who understands;there is no one who seeks God.

11 There is none who understands,There is none who seeks for God.(D)

12 All have turned away. They have become completely worthless. No one shows kindness, not even one person!

12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;There is none who does good,There is not even one.”

12 All have turned away;all alike have become useless.There is no one who does what is good,not even one.(P)(h)

12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;There is none who does good, no, not one.”(E)

Appointing The Twelve Apostles

13 Their throats are open graves. With their tongues they deceive. The venom of poisonous snakes is under their lips.

13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

13 (T)Their throat is an open grave,With their tongues they keep deceiving,”(U)The poison of asps is under their lips”;

13 Their throat is an open grave;they deceive with their tongues.(Q)(i)Vipers’ venom is under their lips.(R)(j)

13 Their throat is an open grave;They [habitually] deceive with their tongues.”The venom of asps is beneath their lips.”(F)

14 Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

14 (V)Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;

14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.(S)(k)

14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”(G)

15 They run swiftly to shed blood.

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

15 (W)Their feet are swift to shed blood,

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood,

16 Ruin and misery characterize their lives.

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

16 Destruction and misery are in their paths,

16 ruin and wretchedness are in their paths,

16 Destruction and misery are in their paths,

17 They have not learned the path to peace.

17 And the way of peace have they not known:

17 And the path of peace they have not known.”

17 and the path of peace they have not known.(T)(l)

17 And they have not known the path of peace.”(H)

18 They don't fear God.

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

18 (X)There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.(U)(m)

18 There is no fear of God [and His awesome power] before their eyes.”(I)

19 Now we know that whatever the Law says applies to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

19 Now we know that whatever the (Y)Law says, it speaks to (Z)those who are (h)under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and (AA)all the world may become accountable to God;

19 Now we know that whatever the law says(V) speaks to those who are subject to the law,(n)(W) so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment.(o)(X)

19 Now we know that whatever the Law [of Moses] says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the excuses of] every mouth may be silenced [from protesting] and that all the world may be held accountable to God [and subject to His judgment].

20 Therefore, God will not justify any human being by means of the actions prescribed by the Law, for through the Law comes the full knowledge of sin.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

20 because (AB)by the works (i)of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for (j)(AC)through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

20 For no one will be justified(p) in His sight by the works of the law,(Y) because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.(Z)

20 For no (b)person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin].

Righteousness Through Faith Revealed

21 But now, apart from the Law, God's righteousness is revealed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

21 But now apart (k)from the Law (AD)the righteousness of God has been manifested, being (AE)witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

21 But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed(AA)—attested by the Law and the Prophets(q)(AB)

21 But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets.

22 God's righteousness through the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah for all who believe. For there is no distinction among people,

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

22 even the (AF)righteousness of God through (AG)faith (AH)in Jesus Christ for (AI)all those (l)who believe; for (AJ)there is no distinction;

22 —that is, God’s righteousness through faith(AC) in Jesus Christ,(r)(AD) to all who believe,(AE) since there is no distinction.(AF)

22 This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction,(J)

23 since all have sinned and continue to fall short of God's glory.

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

23 for all (m)(AK)have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

23 For all have sinned(AG) and fall short of the(s) glory of God.

23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God,

24 By his grace they are justified freely through the redemption that is in the Messiah Jesus,

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

24 being justified as a gift (AL)by His grace through (AM)the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

24 They are justified freely by His grace(AH) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.(AI)

24 and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] (c)grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,

25 whom God offered as a place where atonement by the Messiah's blood would occur through faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because he had waited patiently to deal with sins committed in the past.

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

25 whom God displayed publicly as (AN)a (n)propitiation (o)(AO)in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, (p)because in the (AP)forbearance of God He (AQ)passed over the sins previously committed;

25 God presented Him as a propitiation(t)(AJ) through faith in His blood,(AK) to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God(AL) passed over the sins previously committed.(AM)

25 whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] (d)sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion].

26 He wanted to demonstrate at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies anyone who has the faithfulness of Jesus.

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who (q)has faith in Jesus.

26 God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous(u) the one who has faith in Jesus.

26 It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].

Boasting Excluded

27 What, then, is there to boast about? That has been eliminated. On what principle? On that of actions? No, but on the principle of faith.

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

27 Where then is (AR)boasting? It is excluded. By (AS)what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

27 Where then is boasting?(AN) It is excluded. By what kind of law?(v)(AO) By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law(w) of faith.

27 Then what becomes of [our] boasting? It is excluded [entirely ruled out, banished]. On what principle? On [the principle of good] works? No, but on the principle of faith.

28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the actions prescribed by the Law.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

28 (r)For (AT)we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works (s)of the Law.

28 For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.(AP)

28 For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God].

29 Is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the gentiles, too? Yes, of the gentiles, too,

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

29 Or (AU)is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,

29 Or is God for Jews only?(AQ) Is He not also for Gentiles? Yes, for Gentiles too,

29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not also the God of Gentiles [who were not given the Law]? Yes, of Gentiles also,

30 since there is only one God who will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised by that same faith.

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

30 since indeed (AV)God (AW)who will justify the (t)circumcised (u)by faith and the (v)uncircumcised through faith (AX)is one.

30 since there is one God(AR) who will justify the circumcised by faith(AS) and the uncircumcised through faith.

30 since indeed it is one [and the same] God who will justify the circumcised by faith [which began with Abraham] and the uncircumcised through [their newly acquired] faith.

31 Do we, then, abolish the Law by this faith? Of course not! Instead, we uphold the Law.

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

31 Do we then nullify (w)the Law through faith? (AY)May it never be! On the contrary, we (AZ)establish the Law.

31 Do we then cancel the law through faith? Absolutely not!(AT) On the contrary, we uphold the law.(AU)

31 Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation].

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