Chapter I: AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (2)Every branch (4)

(28)And Agrippa said to Paul: With little pains[26:28a] thou persuadest[26:28b] me to become a Christian. (29)And Paul said: I could pray God, that with little or much[26:29], not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, may become such as I am, except these bonds.

(30)And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they who sat with them. (31)And having withdrawn, they talked together, saying: This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds. (32)And Agrippa said to Festus: This man could have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar.

XXVII.

AND when it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band. (2)And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, about to sail along the coasts of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. (3)And on the second day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul humanely, and permitted him to go to his friends and receive their care. (4)And thence having put to sea, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary, (5)And having sailed over the sea along Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. (6)And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy; and he put us on board of it. (7)And sailing slowly many days, and having come with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us to put in[27:7], we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; (8)and coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near to which was the city Lasa.

(9)And much time having been spent, and the voyage being now dangerous, because also the fast had already passed by, Paul exhorted them, (10)saying: Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with violence and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives. (11)But the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than the things spoken by Paul. (12)And as the haven was not well situated for wintering, the greater number advised to sail thence also, if by any means they might reach Phoenix, a haven of Crete, looking toward the southwest and northwest, and there winter.

(13)And a south wind beginning to blow moderately, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor, and coasted along close by Crete. (14)But not long after, there struck against it a tempestuous wind, called Euracylon. (15)And the ship being caught, and unable to face the wind, we yielded to it, and were driven along. (16)And running under a certain small island called Clauda, we were hardly able to come by the boat; (17)which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should be cast away on the quicksand, they lowered the sail, and so were driven.

(18)And we being violently tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship; (19)and the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. (20)And neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no small tempest lying on us, thenceforward all hope that we should be saved was utterly taken away. (21)But after much abstinence, then Paul, standing up in the midst of then, said: Sirs, ye should have hearkened to me and not put to sea from Crete, and so have escaped this violence and loss. (22)And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. (23)For there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, (24)saying: Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Caesar; and, lo, God has given thee all those who sail with thee. (25)Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it will be even so, as it has been told me. (26)But we must be cast away upon a certain island.

(27)And when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven onward in the Adriatic sea, about midnight the seamen suspected that they were near to some country; (28)and sounding, they found twenty fathoms; and having gone a little further, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms. (29)Then fearing lest we should fall upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for day.

(30)And as the seamen were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had let down the boat into the sea, under color as if they were about to extend anchors out of the foreship, (31)Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers: Except these abide in the ship, ye can not be saved. (32)Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off.

(33)And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take food, saying: This day is the fourteenth day that ye have waited, and continued fasting, having taken nothing. (34)Wherefore I pray you to take food; for this is for your safety; for there shall not a hair fall from the head of one of you.

(35)And having thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all; and having broken it, he began to eat. (36)Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took food. (37)And we were in all in the ship two hundred and seventy-six souls. (38)And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, casting out the grain into the sea.

(39)And when it was day, they knew not the land; but they perceived a certain creek, having a beach, on which they determined, if they were able, to drive the ship ashore. (40)And cutting the anchors entirely away, they abandoned them to the sea, at the same time unfastening the bands of the rudders; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made toward the beach. (41)And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow sticking fast remained immovable, but the stern was broken by the violence of the waves. (42)And it was the plan of the soldiers, that they should kill the prisoners, lest any one should swim out, and escape. (43)But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that those who could swim should cast themselves first into the sea and get to land, (44)and the rest, some on boards, and others on some of the pieces from the ship. And so it came to pass, that all escaped safe to land.

XXVIII.

AND having escaped, they then learned that the island is called Melita. (2)And the barbarians showed us no little kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

(3)And Paul having gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came out a viper from the heat, and fastened on his hand. (4)And when the barbarians saw the animal hanging from his hand, they said among themselves: No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though escaped from the sea, justice suffered not to live. (5)He, however, shaking off the animal into the fire, suffered no harm. (6)But they were expecting that he would become inflamed, or suddenly fall down dead; but after looking a great while, and seeing no harm befall him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

(7)In the region around that place, there were lands of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius, who received and entertained us kindly three days. (8)Now it happened, that the father of Publius was lying sick with a fever and a bloody flux; to whom Paul entered in, and having prayed, laid his hands on him and healed him. (9)And this having been done, the others also, who had diseases in the island, came and were healed; (10)who also honored us with many honors; and when we put to sea, they loaded us with such things as were necessary.

(11)And after three months, we put to sea in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. (12)And landing at Syracuse, we remained three days. (13)And from thence, making a circuit[28:13], we came to Rhegium. And after one day, a south wind arose, and we came on the second day to Puteoli; (14)where we found brethren, and were entreated to remain with them seven days; and so we went toward Rome. (15)And from thence, the brethren, having heard of us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and took courage.

(16)And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the commander of the camp; but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

(17)And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called together those who were the chief men of the Jews; and when they were come together, he said to them: Men, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans; (18)who, when they had examined me, wished to release me, because there was no cause of death in me. (19)But as the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; not that I have anything to charge against my nation. (20)For this cause therefore I called for you, to see and to speak with you; for on account of the hope of Israel I am compassed with this chain.

(21)And they said to him: We neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any one of the brethren that came, report or speak any evil concerning thee. (22)But we desire to hear from thee what thou thinkest; for concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.

(23)And having appointed a day for him, they came to him in greater numbers to his lodging; to whom he expounded, testifying fully the kingdom of God, and persuading them of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning till evening. (24)And some believed the things spoken, and some believed not. (25)And disagreeing among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word: Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, (26)saying:

Go to this people, and say;
With the hearing ye will hear, and will not understand,
And seeing ye will see, and will not perceive.
(27)For the heart of this people is become gross,
And their ears are dull of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed;
Lest haply they see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And turn, and I shall heal them.

(28)Be it known to you, therefore, that to the Gentiles the salvation of God was sent; they, moreover, will hear.[28:29]

(30)And Paul remained two whole years in his own hired house, and gladly received all that came in to him; (31)preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no one hindering him.

THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS.

I.

PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, set apart unto the gospel of God, (2)which he before announced through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, (3)concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, (4)who was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord; (5)through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all the nations, for his name's sake; (6)among whom are ye also, called of Jesus Christ; (7)to all the beloved of God that are in Rome, called to be saints: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(8)First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of in all the world. (9)For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; (10)making request, if haply now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. (11)For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; (12)that is, to be comforted together among you, by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

(13)Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that often-times I purposed to come to you (but was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit among you also, as among the rest of the Gentiles. (14)I am debtor both to Greeks and Barbarians; both to wise and unwise. (15)So, as far as lies in me, I am ready to preach the good news to you also who are at Rome. (16)For 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. (17)For therein is revealed a righteousness of God, from faith to faith; as it is written: The just shall live by faith.

(18)For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness[1:18]; (19)because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it to them. (20)For, from the creation of the world, his invisible things are clearly seen, being perceived by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are[1:20] without excuse. (21)Because, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, nor gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22)Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools; (23)and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

(24)Wherefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, to dishonor their bodies among themselves; (25)who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

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

(28)And as they did not choose to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not becoming; (29)being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30)slanderers, haters of God, overbearing, proud, boasters, devisers of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31)without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful; (32)who, knowing the judgment of God, that they who commit such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those who do them.

II.

WHEREFORE thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. (2)Now we know that the judgment of God is according to truth, upon those who commit such things. (3)And reckonest thou this, O man, that judgest those who do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? (4)Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God is leading thee to repentance; (5)and after thy hardness and impenitent heart, art treasuring up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (6)who will render to every man according to his deeds; (7)to those who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; (8)but to those who are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9)tribulation and distress, upon every soul of man that works evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; (10)but glory, and honor, and peace, to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

(11)For there is no respect of persons with God. (12)For as many as sinned without law shall also perish without law; and as many as sinned with law shall be judged by law; (13)(for not the hearers of law are just before God, but the doers of law shall be justified: (14)for when Gentiles, who have no law, do by nature the things required by law, these, having no law, are a law to themselves; (15)who show the work of law written in their hearts, their conscience witnessing therewith, and their thoughts alternately accusing, or also excusing[2:15];) (16)in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

(17)But if thou art called a Jew, and restest upon law, and makest thy boast in God, (18)and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; (19)and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of those who are in darkness, (20)an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law; (21)thou then, that teachest another, dost thou not teach thyself? Thou that preachest, a man should not steal, dost thou steal? (22)Thou that sayest, a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege[2:22]? (23)Thou that makest thy boast in law, through the transgression of the law dishonorest thou God? (24)For, the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, as it is written.

(25)For circumcision indeed profits, if thou keep the law; but if thou art a transgressor of law, thy circumcision has become uncircumcision. (26)If then the uncircumcision keep the requirements of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? (27)And shall not the uncircumcision that is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of law? (28)For he is not a Jew, who is one outwardly; nor is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. (29)But 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 of men, but of God.

III.

WHAT then is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? (2)Much every way; first, indeed, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God. (3)For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make void the faithfulness of God? (4)Far be it! Yea, let God be true and every man a liar; as it is written:

That thou mayest be justified in thy words,
And mayest overcome when thou art judged.

(5)But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? (I speak as a man.) (6)Far be it! For then how shall God judge the world? (7)For if the truth of God through my lie, abounded unto his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? (8)And why not, as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say: Let us do evil, that good may come? Whose judgment is just.

(9)What then? Are we better? No, in no wise; for we before charged, that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin. (10)As it is written: There is none righteous, no, no one; (11)there is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God. (12)They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, there is not so much as one. (13)Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; (14)whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. (15)Their feet are swift to shed blood. (16)Destruction and misery are in their ways; (17)and the way of peace they have not known. (18)There is no fear of God before their eyes.

(19)Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (20)Because by works of law no flesh shall be justified in his sight; for by law is the knowledge of sin.

(21)But now, apart from law, a righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; (22)a righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all that believe; (for there is no difference; (23)for all sinned, and come short of the glory of God;) (24)being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; (25)whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith by his blood, for the exhibition of his righteousness, because of the passing over of the sins before committed in the forbearance of God; (26)for the exhibition of his righteousness in this present time, that he may be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.

(27)Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? Nay; but by the law of faith. (28)Therefore we reckon that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. Is he the God of Jews only? (29)Is he not also of Gentiles? Yes, of Gentiles also; (30)seeing that God is one, who will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through the faith. (31)Do we then make void law through the faith? Far be it! Yea, we establish law.

IV.

WHAT then shall we say that Abraham our father found, as pertaining to the flesh? (2)For if Abraham was justified by works, he has ground of boasting; but not before God. (3)For what says the Scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. (4)Now to him that works, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as a debt. (5)But to him that works not, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. (6)As also David speaks of the happiness of the man, to whom God reckons righteousness, apart from works:

(7)Happy they, whose iniquities were forgiven,
And whose sins were covered;
(8)Happy the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin!

(9)Comes this happiness then on the circumcision, or also on he uncircumcision? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. (10)How then was it reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. (11)And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while in uncircumcision; that he might be father of all that believe while in uncircumcision, that the righteousness might be reckoned to them also, (12)and father of circumcision to those who are not only of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham, which he had while in uncircumcision.

(13)For not through law was the promise to Abraham, or to his seed, that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith. (14)For if they that are of law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect. (15)For the law works wrath; for where there is no law, neither is there transgression. (16)For this cause it is of faith, that it may be by grace; in order that the promise may be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (17)(as it is written: A father of many nations have I made thee,) before God whom he believed, who quickens the dead, and calls the things that are not as though they were; (18)who against hope believed in hope, that he should become father of many nations, according to that which was spoken: So shall thy seed be. (19)And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body already dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb. (20)And in respect to the promise of God he wavered not through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, (21)and being fully persuaded, that what he has promised he is able also to perform. (22)Wherefore also it was reckoned to him for righteousness.

(23)And it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned to him; (24)but for ours also, to whom it shall be reckoned, if we believe on him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25)who was delivered up for our offenses, and was raised for our justification.

V.

BEING justified therefore by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; (2)through whom also we obtained the access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3)And not only so, but we rejoice in afflictions also; knowing that affliction works patience; (4)and patience approval; and approval hope; (5)and hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God has been poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Spirit which was given to us.

(6)For when we were yet without strength, in due season Christ died for the ungodly. (7)For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; though, for the good man, perhaps some one does even dare to die. (8)But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9)Much more therefore, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath through him. (10)For if, being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son; much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life; (11)and not only so, but also rejoicing in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

(12)Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all sinned; (13)(for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (14)But yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who sinned not after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a type of him who was to come.

(15)But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift; for if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

(16)And not as through one that sinned, is the gift; for the judgment came of one unto condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses unto justification. (17)For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more they who receive the abundance of the grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.)

(18)So then, as through one trespass it came upon all men unto condemnation; so also through one righteous act it came upon all men unto justification of life. (19)For as through the disobedience of the one man the many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of the one will the many be constituted righteous.

(20)Moreover the law came in also, that the trespass might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound; (21)that as sin reigned in death, so also might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

VI.

WHAT then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? (2)Far be it! How shall we who died to sin, live any longer therein? (3)Know ye not, that all we who were immersed into Jesus Christ were immersed into his death? (4)We were buried therefore with him by the immersion into his death; that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. (5)For if we have become united with the likeness of his death, we shall be also with that of his resurrection, (6)knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, in order that we should no longer be in bondage to sin. (7)For he that died has been justified from sin. (8)And if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; (9)knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more; death has dominion over him no more. (10)For in that he died, he died to sin once; but in that he lives, he lives to God. (11)So also reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ.

(12)Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof; (13)nor yield your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but yield yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness. (14)For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under law, but under grace.

(15)What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law but under grace? Far be it! (16)Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (17)But thanks be to God, that ye were servants of sin, but obeyed from the heart that form of teaching which was delivered to you[6:18]; (18)and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.

(19)I speak after the manner of men, because of the infirmity of your flesh. For as ye yielded your members servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity unto iniquity; so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto sanctification. (20)For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free as to righteousness. (21)What fruit therefore had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. (22)But now, being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end everlasting life. (23)For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

VII.

KNOW ye not, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man for so long a time as he lives? (2)For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives; but if the husband die, she is loosed from the law of the husband. (3)So then if, while the husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if the husband die, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, though she be married to another man.

(4)Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, in order that ye should be married to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to God. (5)For when we were in the flesh, the emotions of sins, which were by the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (6)But now we are delivered from the law, having died to that wherein we were held; so that we serve in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.

(7)What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Far be it! But I had not known sin, except through law; for I had not known coveting, if the law had not said: Thou shalt not covet. (8)But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of coveting. For without law, sin is dead.

(9)And I was alive without law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. (10)And the commandment, which was for life, that I found to be for death. (11)For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

(12)So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

(13)Has then that which is good become death to me? Far be it! But sin, that it might appear sin, working death to me by that which is good, that sin by the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.

(14)For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15)For what I perform, I know not; for not what I desire, that do I; but what I hate, that I do. (16)But if what I desire not, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.

(17)Now then, it is no longer I that perform it, but the sin that dwells in me.

(18)For I know that there dwells not in me, that is, in my flesh, any good; for to desire is present with me; but to perform that which is good I find not. (19)For the good that I desire, I do not; but the evil that I desire not, that I do. (20)But if what I desire not, that I do, it is no more I that perform it, but the sin that dwells in me.

(21)I find then the law, that, when I desire to do good, evil is present with me. (22)For I delight in the law of God after the inward man. (23)But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24)Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death? (25)I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then I myself with the mind serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

VIII.

THERE is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. (2)For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set me free from the law of sin and death. (3)For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; (4)that the requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (5)For they that are according to the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6)For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7)Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it does not submit itself to the law of God, neither indeed can it; (8)and they that are in the flesh can not please God.

(9)But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. And if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (10)And if Christ is in you, the body indeed is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (11)And if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ from the dead will also quicken your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit that dwells in you.

(12)So that, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. (13)For if ye live according to the flesh, ye shall die; but if by the Spirit ye mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14)For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are sons of God. (15)For ye did not receive the spirit of bondage, again to fear; but ye received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16)The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God; (17)and if children, also heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.

(18)For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are of no account, in comparison with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (19)For the earnest longing of the creation is waiting for the revelation of the sons of God. (20)For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly (but by reason of him who made it subject), in hope (21)that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (22)For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. (23)And not only so, but ourselves also, though we have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

(24)For we were saved in hope; but hope that is seen is not hope; for what a man sees, why does he also hope for? (25)But if we hope for that we see not, we with patience wait for it. (26)And in like manner does the Spirit also help our weakness; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered. (27)And he who searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

(28)And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. (29)Because whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. (30)And whom he predestined, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

(31)What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who shall be against us? (32)He who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? (33)Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's chosen? God is he that justifies; (34)who is he that condemns? Christ is he that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. (35)Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36)As it is written:

For, for thy sake we are killed all the day long;
We were accounted as sheep for slaughter.

(37)Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38)For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present nor things to come, (39)neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

IX.