Paul Greets the Saints in Rome

1Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God, 2which He promised before through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3concerning His Son, Who was born of the seed of David, according to His flesh, 4Who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead?even Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through Whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations for His name's sake; 6among whom also are ye the called of Jesus Christ:

7to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Unashamed of the Gospel

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is proclaimed in the whole world. 9For God is my witness, Whom I serve in my spirit in the Gospel of His Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10making request, if by any means now at length, I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. 11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that ye may be established; 12that is, to be comforted together among you through our mutual faith, both yours and mine. 13And I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come to you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the gentiles. 14I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish; 15so, as much as in me is, I am ready to proclaim the Gospel to you also who are in Rome.

16For I am not ashamed of the Gospel; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek 17for in it is revealed God's righteousness, from faith to faith; as it has been written, "But the righteous shall live by faith."

God’s Wrath against Sin

18For God's wrath is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; 19because that which is known of God is manifested in them; for God manifested it to them. 20For His invisible things, since the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being perceived by the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: 21because, having known God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor did they give thanks; but they became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and quadrupeds, and reptiles.

24Wherefore, God gave them up in the desires of their hearts unto the uncleanness of dishonoring their bodies among themselves; 25who, indeed, change the truth of God into falsehood; and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever. Amen.

26For this cause, God gave them up to vile passions; for both their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature; 27and, in like manner, the men also, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their desires one for another; men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error, which was due.

28And, as they did not approve the holding of God in their knowledge, God delivered them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not becoming; 29having become filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30back-biters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventers of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful; 32who, indeed, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with those who practice them.