Because, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but fell into folly in their thoughts, and their heart without understanding was darkened:

and in like manner the males also, leaving the natural use of the female, were inflamed in their lust towards one another; males with males working shame, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error which was fit.

for what does the scripture say? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

How then has it been reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

For it was not by law that the promise was to Abraham, or to his seed, that he should be heir of the world, but by righteousness of faith.

who against hope believed in hope to his becoming father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be:

wherefore also it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

Now it was not written on his account alone that it was reckoned to him,

(for until law sin was in the world; but sin is not put to account when there is no law;

And shall not as by one that has sinned be the gift? For the judgment was of one to condemnation, but the act of favour, of many offences unto justification.

so then as it was by one offence towards all men to condemnation, so by one righteousness towards all men for justification of life.

but sin, getting a point of attack by the commandment, wrought in me every lust; for without law sin was dead.

But I was alive without law once; but the commandment having come, sin revived, but I died.

And the commandment, which was for life, was found, as to me, itself to be unto death:

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, having sent his own Son, in likeness of flesh of sin, and for sin, has condemned sin in the flesh,

it was said to her, The greater shall serve the less:

And it shall be, in the place where it was said to them, Ye are not my people, there shall they be called Sons of the living God.

Wherefore? Because it was not on the principle of faith, but as of works. They have stumbled at the stumblingstone,

but according as it is written, To whom there was nothing told concerning him, they shall see; and they that have not heard shall understand.