I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have some harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

I do not understand what I do. For I do not do what I want to do, but I do what I hate.

Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

For I do not do the good I want to do; but the evil I do not want to do is what I do.

Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me.

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will have praise from him.

For your obedience has become known to all, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.