1 W hat then the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of circumcision?

Do the Jews have anything that those who are not Jews do not have? What good does it do to go through the religious act of becoming a Jew?

2 M uch every way: and first, indeed, that to them were entrusted the oracles of God.

Yes, the Jews have much more in every way. First of all, God gave the Jews His Law.

3 F or what? if some have not believed, shall their unbelief make the faith of God of none effect?

If some of them were not faithful, does it mean that God will not be faithful?

4 F ar 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.

No, not at all! God is always true even if every man lies. The Holy Writings say, “Speak the truth and you will not be proven guilty.”

5 B ut if our unrighteousness commend God's righteousness, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak according to man.

If our sins show how right God is, what can we say? Is it wrong for God to punish us for it? (I am speaking as men do.)

6 F ar be the thought: since how shall God judge the world?

No, not at all! If it were wrong for God to punish us, how could He judge the world?

7 F or if the truth of God, in my lie, has more abounded to his glory, why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

If my lies honor God by showing how true He is, why am I still being judged as a sinner?

8 a nd 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, “Let us sin that good will come from it.” (Some people have said I talk like this!) They will be punished as they should be.

9 W hat then? are we better? No, in no wise: for we have before charged both Jews and Greeks with being all under sin:

What about it then? Are we Jews better than the people who are not Jews? Not at all! I have already said that Jews and the people who are not Jews are all sinners.

10 a ccording as it is written, There is not a righteous, not even one;

The Holy Writings say, “There is not one person who is right with God. No, not even one!

11 t here is not the that understands, there is not one that seeks after God.

There is not one who understands. There is not one who tries to find God.”

12 A ll 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:

Everyone has turned away from God. They have all done wrong. Not one of them does what is good. No, not even one!

13 t heir throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; asps' poison under their lips:

Their mouth is like an open grave. They tell lies with their tongues. Whatever they say is like the poison of snakes.

14 w hose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness;

Their mouths speak bad things against God. They say bad things about other people.

15 s wift their feet to shed blood;

They are quick to hurt and kill people.

16 r uin and misery in their ways,

Wherever they go, they destroy and make people suffer.

17 a nd way of peace they have not known:

They know nothing about peace.

18 t here is no fear of God before their eyes.

They do not honor God with love and fear.”

19 N ow 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 the Law speaks to those who live under the Law. No one can say that he does not know what sin is. Yes, every person in the world stands guilty before God.

20 W herefore by works of law no flesh shall be justified before him; for by law knowledge of sin.

No person will be made right with God by doing what the Law says. The Law shows us how sinful we are.

21 B ut now without law righteousness of God is manifested, borne witness to by the law and the prophets;

But now God has made another way to make men right with Himself. It is not by the Law. The Law and the early preachers tell about it.

22 r ighteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ towards all, and upon all those who believe: for there is no difference;

Men become right with God by putting their trust in Jesus Christ. God will accept men if they come this way. All men are the same to God.

23 f or all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

For all men have sinned and have missed the shining-greatness of God.

24 b eing justified freely by his grace through the redemption which in Christ Jesus;

Anyone can be made right with God by the free gift of His loving-favor. It is Jesus Christ Who bought them with His blood and made them free from their sins.

25 w hom God has set forth a mercy-seat, through faith in his blood, for shewing forth of his righteousness, in respect of the passing by the sins that had taken place before, through the forbearance of God;

God gave Jesus Christ to the world. Men’s sins can be forgiven through the blood of Christ when they put their trust in Him. God gave His Son Jesus Christ to show how right He is. Before this, God did not look on the sins that were done.

26 f or shewing forth of his righteousness in the present time, so that he should be just, and justify him that is of faith of Jesus.

But now God proves that He is right in saving men from sin. He shows that He is the One Who has no sin. God makes anyone right with Himself who puts his trust in Jesus.

27 W here then boasting? It has been excluded. By what law? of works? Nay, but by law of faith;

What then do we have to be proud of? Nothing at all! Why? Is it because men obey the Law? No! It is because men put their trust in Christ.

28 f or we reckon that a man is justified by faith, without works of law.

This is what we have come to know. A man is made right with God by putting his trust in Christ. It is not by his doing what the Law says.

29 I s the God of Jews only? is he not of nations also? Yea, of nations also:

Is God the God of the Jews only? Is He not the God of the people who are not Jews also? He is for sure.

30 s ince indeed one God who shall justify circumcision on the principle of faith, and uncircumcision by faith.

He is one God. He will make Jews and the people who are not Jews right with Himself if they put their trust in Christ.

31 D o we then make void law by faith? Far be the thought: but we establish law.

Does this mean that we do away with the Law when we put our trust in Christ? No, not at all. It means we know the Law is important.