For ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, even his everlasting power and divinity, has been clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made. So they have no excuse.

For although they knew God, yet they did not glorify him as God, nor give him thanks; but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened.

While they professed to be wise, they became fools,

because they exchanged the truth of God for an untruth, and worshiped and served the creature, rather than the Creator who is blessed forever. Amen.

And just as they refused to continue to retain God in their knowledge, so did God cast them out to an outcast mind, to do those things which were indecent.

They were overflowing with every kind of iniquity, depravity, greed, and malice. They were full of envy, murder, quarreling, deceit, and malignity.

They became whisperers, back-biters, hated of God, insolent, haughty, boastful. They invented sins. They were disobedient to parents.

They were without sense, without faith, without natural affection, without mercy.

Though they knew well the ordinance of God, that those who practise such vices are worthy of death, they not only continue to do the same, but were even applauding those who practise vice.

For when Gentiles, who have no law, obey by natural instinct the commands of the Law, they even though they have no law, are a law to themselves.

For they show that the work of the Law is written in their hearts, while their conscience bears them witness, as their reasonings accuse, or it may be defend, them,

Their throat is an open grave; With their tongues they have used deceit. The venom of asps is under their lips.

And the path of peace they have not known.

but they are now being justified by his free grace through the deliverance that is in Christ Jesus.

Blessed he says are they whose iniquities have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered.

and he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the faith-righteousness which he had while he was in uncircumcision; in order that he might be the father of all who believe, even though they are uncircumcised; so that righteousness might be imputed to them.

For they who live after the flesh, give their attention to the things of the flesh; But they who live after the spirit, give their attention to spiritual things.

And they who are earthly minded cannot please God.

For they are Israelites; to them belong the sonship, the Shekinah glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law; the service of the temple, and the promises;

It is not, however, as though God's word had failed! For they are not all Israel who have sprung from Israel;

they are not all children of Abraham because they are Abraham's descendants. The promise was, In Isaac shall thy posterity be called.

and even though they were still unborn, and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that the purpose of God might stand according to election, not of works, but of Him who called,

And in that very spot where it was told them, "You are not my people," There they shall be called "Sons of the living God."

And why? Because they sought it not by faith, but thought to gain it by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling;

Brothers, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for my countrymen, that they may be saved.

For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, only it is a zeal without knowledge.

For because they were ignorant of God's righteousness, and sought to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit themselves to the righteousness of God.

How then shall thy call upon Him in whom they do not believe? And how are they to believe in One of whom they have never heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring a glad gospel.

And yet they did not all hearken to the good news; for Isaiah said, Lord, who hath believed our message?

But I ask, Did they fail to hear? Yes, truly, Their sound has gone out unto all the earth, And their words unto the ends of the world.

Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have overthrown thine altars; And now I alone am left, and they seek my life.

According as it is written, God has given them a spirit of slumber, Eyes that they should not see, Ears that they should not hear, unto this day.

Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their backs forever.

I ask then, "Have they stumbled so as to fall?" No indeed; but by their lapse salvation has come unto Gentiles, "to provoke Israel to jealousy."

True, through their unbelief they were broken off, and by your faith you stand. Do not be puffed up, but fear;

And they also those Jews, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in again; for God is able to graft them in again.

In relation to the gospel, the Jews are God's enemies for your sake; but in relation to the election, they are dearly loved for their forefather's sake.

even so they also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy.

Yes, it has been made their good pleasure, and their debt, too. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual riches, they owe it to them also to minister to them the Jews in worldly goods.

Turn away from them. For men of that stamp are not the slaves of Christ, but are slaves to their own appetites. By their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.