For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened.

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done.

They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips,

Although they fully know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.

They show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend them,

All have turned away, together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness, not even one."

"Their throats are open graves, they deceive with their tongues, the poison of asps is under their lips."

and the way of peace they have not known."

But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, so that he would become the father of all those who believe but have never been circumcised, that they too could have righteousness credited to them.

For if they become heirs by the law, faith is empty and the promise is nullified.

(as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"). He is our father in the presence of God whom he believed -- the God who makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as though they already do.

even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God's purpose in election would stand, not by works but by his calling) --

"And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"

Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but (as if it were possible) by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,

For I can testify that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not in line with the truth.

For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them?

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news."

But I ask, have they not heard? Yes, they have: Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

"Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I alone am left and they are seeking my life!"

let their eyes be darkened so that they may not see, and make their backs bend continually."

I ask then, they did not stumble into an irrevocable fall, did they? Absolutely not! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous.

Granted! They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear!

And even they -- if they do not continue in their unbelief -- will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

In regard to the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but in regard to election they are dearly loved for the sake of the fathers.

so they too have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy.

For they were pleased to do this, and indeed they are indebted to the Jerusalem saints. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are obligated also to minister to them in material things.

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my compatriots and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By their smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of the naive.