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

Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but their thinking became nonsense, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God abandoned them to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

in that they show the work of the law written on their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their conflicting thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

Much in every way. Because first of all, they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.

They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, there is not even one."

"Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit." "The poison of vipers is under their lips;"

The way of peace, they have not known."

"Happy are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be credited to them.

As it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations." This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.

But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel.

Neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children. But, "In Isaac will your seed be called."

"It will be that in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' There they will be called 'children of the living God.'"

Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone;

Brothers, my heart's desire and my prayer to God is for them, that they may be saved.

For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a proclaimer?

And how will they proclaim unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things."

But they did not all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"

But I say, did they not hear? Yes, truly, "Their sound went out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

"Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life."

According as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day."

Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see. Bow down their back always."

I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall? May it never be. But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.

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

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

Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are loved for the fathers' sake.

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

For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God's service, attending continually on this very thing.

But, as it is written, "They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who have not heard will understand."

Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in fleshly things.

For those who are such do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.