which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the sacred Scriptures—

that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.

And men did the same thing, leaving the natural function [i.e., of sex] with women, and burning in their desire for each other. Men committed indecent [sexual] acts with other men [i.e., homosexuality], and [so] brought on themselves the penalty they deserved for this perversion.

who shall render to each according to his works:

Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, testifying of their conscience, and their thoughts amidst each other accusing or also defending them

who show that the work which the law requires, is written in their hearts, their conscience bearing testimony, and their reasonings with each other accusing, or making excuse.

an instructer of the ignorant, a teacher to the weak, because you have a clear view of the true meaning of the law.

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly.

(I use this human analogy to bring the truth home to your weak nature.) As you once dedicated your members to the service of vice and lawlessness, so now dedicate them to the service of righteousness that means consecration.

So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

But if Christ is in you, the body is dead, on account of sin, but the Spirit is life, on ac count of righteousness.

God has not rejected his people whom he chose long ago. Do you not know what the Scripture says in the story about Elijah, when he pleads with God against Israel?

Well; on ac count of unbelief they were broken off; but you stand by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear.

For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.

For, just as in the human body there is a union of many parts, and each part has its own function,

thus we, being many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one of the other.

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

as to brotherly love, kindly affectioned towards one another: as to honour, each taking the lead in paying it to the other:

Live in harmony with each other. Do not be arrogant, but associate with humble people. Do not think that you are wiser than you really are.

Owe no man anything except to love each other, for he who loves the other has fulfilled law.

Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ].

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike . Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.

So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Therefore, let's no longer criticize each other. Instead, make up your mind not to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken against [i.e., the exercise of a liberty by the strong to eat anything must not become the occasion of criticism by the weak].

Let us then strive to promote peace, and the edification of each other.

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying.

For everything that was written long ago was written to instruct us, so that we might have hope through the endurance and encouragement that the Scriptures give us.

Now may God, the source of endurance and encouragement, allow you to live in harmony with each other as you follow the Messiah Jesus,

Therefore receive ye each other, just as Christ also received you for the glory of God.

I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are filled with goodness and full of all the knowledge you need to be able to instruct each other.

Salute each other with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.

Now to the one who is able to strengthen you with my gospel and the message that I preach about Jesus, the Messiah, by revealing the secret that was kept hidden from long ago