For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God himself has made it plain to them.

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

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.)

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!

for the Law produces wrath. Now where there is no Law, neither can there be any violation of it.

Nor can the free gift be compared to what came through the man who sinned. For the sentence that followed one man's offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift brought justification, even after many offenses.

Of course not! How can we who died as far as sin is concerned go on living in it?

Don't you realize, brothers for I am speaking to people who know the Law that the Law can press its claims over a person only as long as he is alive?

Thank God through Jesus the Messiah, our Lord, because with my mind I myself can serve the Law of God, even while with my human nature I serve the law of sin.

For we were saved with this hope in mind. Now a hope that can be observed is not really hope, for who hopes for what can be seen?

What, then, can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Who will separate us from the Messiah's love? Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or a violent death do this?

nor anything above, nor anything below, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is ours in union with the Messiah Jesus, our Lord.

What can we say, then? God is not unrighteous, is he? Of course not!

You may ask me, "Then why does God still find fault with anybody? For who can resist his will?"

On the contrary, who are you mere man that you are to talk back to God? Can an object that was molded say to the one who molded it, "Why did you make me like this?"

A potter has the right to do what he wants to with his clay, doesn't he? He can make something for a special occasion or something for ordinary use from the same lump of clay.

Now if God wants to demonstrate his wrath and reveal his power, can't he be extremely patient with the objects of his wrath that are made for destruction?

Can't he also reveal his glorious riches to the objects of his mercy that he has prepared ahead of time for glory

What can we say, then? Gentiles, who were not pursuing righteousness, have attained righteousness, a righteousness that comes through faith.

For I can testify on their behalf that they have a zeal for God, but it is not in keeping with full knowledge.

How, then, can people call on someone they have not believed? And how can they believe in someone they have not heard about? And how can they hear without someone preaching?

And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are those who bring the good news!"

in the hope that I can make my people jealous and save some of them.