1 W hat, then, the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of the 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 in every way; for first, indeed, that they were intrusted with 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 certain were faithless? shall their faithlessness the faithfulness of god make useless?

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

4 l et it not be! and let God become true, and every man false, according as it hath been written, `That Thou mayest be declared righteous in Thy words, and mayest overcome in Thy being judged.'

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 A nd, if our unrighteousness God's righteousness doth establish, what shall we say? is God unrighteous who is inflicting the wrath? (after the manner of a man I speak)

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 l et it not be! 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 falsehood did more abound to His glory, why yet am I also as a sinner judged?

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

8 a nd not, as we are evil spoken of, and as certain affirm us to say -- `We may do the evil things, that the good ones may come?' whose judgment is righteous.

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? not at all! for we did before charge 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 hath been written -- `There is none 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 none who is understanding, there is none who is seeking after God.

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

12 A ll did go out of the way, together they became unprofitable, there is none doing good, there is not even 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 A sepulchre opened their throat; with their tongues they used deceit; poison of asps 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 a way of peace they did not know.

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 A nd we have known that as many things as the law saith, to those in the law it doth speak, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may come 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 shall no flesh be declared righteous before Him, for through law is a 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 A nd now apart from law hath the righteousness of God been manifested, testified 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 a nd the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ to all, and upon all those believing, -- 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 did sin, and are come short of the glory of God --

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

24 b eing declared righteous freely by His grace through the redemption that 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 did set forth a mercy seat, through the faith in his blood, for the shewing forth of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the bygone sins in 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 the shewing forth of His righteousness in the present time, for His being righteous, and declaring him righteous who of the 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 the boasting? it was excluded; by what law? of works? no, but by a 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 t herefore do we reckon a man to be declared righteous by faith, apart from 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 T he God of Jews only, and not also of nations?

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 y es, also of nations; since one God who shall declare righteous the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through the 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 L aw then do we make useless through the faith? let it not be! yea, we do 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.