Romans 3
1 What then [is] the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of circumcision?
What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?
2 Much every way: and first, indeed, that to them were entrusted the oracles of God.
Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3 For what? if some have not believed, shall their unbelief make the faith of God of none effect?
What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?
4 Far be the thought: but let God be true, and every man false; according as it is written, So that thou shouldest be justified in thy words, and shouldest overcome when thou art in judgment.
Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.”
5 But if our unrighteousness commend God's righteousness, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak according to man.
But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms.
6 Far be the thought: since how shall God judge the world?
Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God, in my lie, has more abounded to his glory, why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?
8 and not, according as we are injuriously charged, and according as some affirm that we say, Let us practise evil things, that good ones may come? whose judgment is just.
Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!
9 What then? are we better? No, in no wise: for we have before charged both Jews and Greeks with being all under sin:
What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.
10 according as it is written, There is not a righteous [man], not even one;
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.
11 there is not the [man] that understands, there is not one that seeks after God.
There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
12 All have gone out of the way, they have together become unprofitable; there is not one that practises goodness, there is not so much as one:
All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
13 their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; asps' poison [is] under their lips:
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”
14 whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness;
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 swift their feet to shed blood;
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery [are] in their ways,
ruin and misery lie in their wake,
17 and way of peace they have not known:
and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 there is no fear of God before their eyes.
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the things the law says, it speaks to those under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world be under judgment to God.
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
20 Wherefore by works of law no flesh shall be justified before him; for by law [is] knowledge of sin.
Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.
21 But now without law righteousness of God is manifested, borne witness to by the law and the prophets;
But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets.
22 righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ towards all, and upon all those who believe: for there is no difference;
And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,
23 for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption which [is] in Christ Jesus;
and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
25 whom God has set forth a mercy-seat, through faith in his blood, for [the] shewing forth of his righteousness, in respect of the passing by the sins that had taken place before, through the forbearance of God;
God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.
26 for [the] shewing forth of his righteousness in the present time, so that he should be just, and justify him that is of [the] faith of Jesus.
He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Where then [is] boasting? It has been excluded. By what law? of works? Nay, but by law of faith;
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith.
28 for we reckon that a man is justified by faith, without works of law.
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
29 Is [God] the God of Jews only? is he not of [the] nations also? Yea, of nations also:
Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
30 since indeed [it is] one God who shall justify [the] circumcision on the principle of faith, and uncircumcision by faith.
since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
31 Do we then make void law by faith? Far be the thought: [no, ] but we establish law.
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.
