New King James Version | New Living Translation |
1Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. | 1You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. |
2But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. | 2And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. |
3And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? | 3Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? |
4Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? | 4Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? |
5But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, | 5But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. |
6who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: | 6He will judge everyone according to what they have done. |
7eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; | 7He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. |
8but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, | 8But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. |
9tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; | 9There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. |
10but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. | 10But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. |
11For there is no partiality with God. | 11For God does not show favoritism. |
12For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law | 12When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. |
13(for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; | 13For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. |
14for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, | 14Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. |
15who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) | 15They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. |
16in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. | 16And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. The Jews and the Law |
17Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, | 17You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. |
18and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, | 18You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. |
19and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, | 19You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. |
20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. | 20You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth. |
21You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? | 21Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? |
22You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? | 22You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? |
23You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? | 23You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. |
24For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written. | 24No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.” |
25For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. | 25The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. |
26Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? | 26And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? |
27And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? | 27In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it. |
28For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; | 28For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. |
29but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. | 29No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. |
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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