among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ;

to all that are in Rome beloved of God, called and holy: grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

therefore am I ready, as much as in me lies, to preach the gospel to you also that are at Rome.

Inasmuch as from the first creation of the world, the invisible things of Him, even his eternal power and Godhead, are, if attended to, clearly seen in his works:

so that they are inexcusable; because having thus known God they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful; but were infatuated by their own reasonings, and their heart being void of understanding was darkened.

who though they knew the just judgement of God, (that they who commit such practises are worthy of death) yet not only do these very things, but also countenance and encourage others in the practice of them.

but to those who are contentious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath.

(for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified:

for when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature the duties of the law, these though they have not the law, are a law to themselves,

and knowest his will, and approvest things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

a light to them that are in the darkness, an instructor of the simple, a teacher of babes, having the form of the knowledge and of the truth which is in the law.

and why may we not do evil that good may come?"---as we are injuriously charged, and as some affirm that we say; whose condemnation is just.

"What then are we the better?" Not at all, in point of justification; for we have before proved that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin: as it is written,

They are all gone out of the way, they are become unprofitable, there is none that practiseth goodness, no not one.

their feet are swift to shed blood:

destruction and misery are in their ways:

"Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered:

and the father of circumcision to those, who not only are of the circumcision, but also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.

for if they only that are of the law be heirs, faith is made useless, and the promise is become of no effect.

(as it is written, "I have made thee a father of many nations,") in the sight of Him whom he believed, even God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not as if they were:

God forbid! how shall we, who are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life:

For sin shall have no power over you, inasmuch as ye are not under the law, but under grace.

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?

God forbid! Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves servants to obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey? either of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

and being set free from sin, ye are become the servants of righteousness.

What fruit therefore had ye then in the things, which ye are now ashamed of? for the end of those things is death.

Are ye ignorant, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law) that the law hath power over a man, only so long as it liveth?

And thus, my brethren, ye also are dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye might become another's, even his who is raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God.

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead by which we were bound, that we might serve God in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.

For they who are after the flesh, mind the things of the flesh; but they who are led by the Spirit, do mind spiritual things.

and they who are carnal, cannot please God.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if the Spirit of God dwelleth in you: but if any one hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

So that the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen, is not hope; for what any one sees, how doth he yet hope for?

And we know that all things co-operate for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose;

(as it is written, "for thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter:")

but in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

who are Israelites, whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the form of divine worship, and the promises:

whose are the fathers, and of whom, as to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all God blessed for ever. Amen.

Not that the word of God hath failed. For they are not all Israel, who are descended from Israel.

Nor because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children of promise: but "in Isaac shall thy seed be called."

That is, not the children of the flesh are the children of God, but the children of the promise are accounted for the seed.

And in the place where it was said to them, Ye are not my people, there shall they be called the children of the living God.

and how shall they preach unless they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good tidings of peace, who bring the good tidings of good things?

But I say again, Did not Israel know this? when first Moses saith, "I will move you to jealousy by those who are not a people, I will provoke you to anger by a foolish nation:"

Now if the first-fruits be holy, so is the whole heap: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

For if thou wert cut out of the wild olive, which was natural to thee, and contrary to nature were grafted into a good olive; how much more shall these who are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive-tree?

As to the gospel indeed they are enemies on your account, but as to the election they are beloved on account of the fathers.

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways not to be traced out!

For of Him, and through Him, and for Him, are all things. To Him be glory for ever. Amen.

so we who are many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of each other.

Let every soul be subject to the powers that are over them: for there is no such power but from God: the powers that are over men, are appointed by God.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wouldest thou then not be afraid of the civil power? do what is good, and thou shalt have praise from it:

For you pay them tribute also for this reason; because they are God's ministers, continually attending hereunto.

but if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Do not for the sake of meat destroy thy brother who is the work of God: all things indeed are pure; but to the man that eateth with offence it is evil.

Now we that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves:

And I myself am indeed persuaded concerning you, my brethren, that ye are full of goodness, being filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another.

It pleased them, I say, and they are indeed their debtors; for if the Gentiles have partook of their spiritual things, they ought also to be helpful to them in carnal ones.

Salute Andronicus and Junias my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are men of note among the apostles, and who were in Christ before me.

Salute those of the family of Aristobulus. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute those of the family of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who are labouring in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, who hath laboured much in the Lord.

Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren that are with them.

Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them.