Paul on Malta

28 And after we* were brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the local inhabitants showed ⌊extraordinary⌋a kindness to us, for they lit a fire and* welcomed us all, because of the rain that had begun and because of the cold. 3 And when* Paul had gathered a large number of sticks and was placing them* on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and* fastened itself on his hand. 4 And when the local people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying* to one another, “Doubtless this man is a murderer whom, although he* was rescued from the sea, Justice* has not permitted to live!” 5 He, in turn, shook off the creature into the fire and* suffered no harm. 6 But they were expecting that he was going to swell upb or suddenly to fall down dead. So after* they had waited for a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and* began saying* that he was a god.

7 Now in the regions around that place were fields belonging to the chief official of the island, ⌊named⌋c Publius, who welcomed us and* entertained us* hospitably for three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying down, afflicted with fever and dysentery. Paul went* to ⌊him⌋d and after* praying, he placed his* hands on him and* healed him. 9 And after* this had taken place, the rest of those on the island who had diseases were coming and being healed also. 10 They also honored us with many honors, and when we* were putting out to sea, they gave us* the things ⌊we needed⌋.e

Paul Arrives in Rome at Last

11 Now after three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian one ⌊with the twin gods Castor and Pollux as its insignia⌋.f 12 And putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13 From there we got underwayg and* arrived at Rhegium, and after one day a south wind came up and* on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14 where we found brothers, and* were implored to stay with them seven days. And in this way we came to Rome. 15 And from there the brothers, when they* heard the news about us, came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns. When he* saw them, Paul gave thanks to God and* took courage. 16 And when we entered into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who was guarding him.

Paul and the Jewish Community in Rome

17 Now it happened that after three days, he called together those who were the most prominent of the Jews. And when* they had assembled, he said to them, “Men and brothers, although* I had done nothing against our* people or the customs of our fathers, from Jerusalem I was delivered as a prisoner into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they* had examined me, were wanting to release me,* because there was no basis for an accusation worthy of death with me. 19 But because* the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar (not as if I* had any charge to bring against my own people).h 20 Therefore for this reason I have requested to see you and to speak with you,* for because of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain!” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters about you from Judea, nor has any of the brothers come and* reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”

23 And when they* had set a day with him, many more came to him at his lodging place, to whom he was explaining from early in the morning until evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and attempting to convince* them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. 24 And some were convinced by* what was said, but others refused to believe. 25 So being in disagreement with one another, they began to leave after* Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through the prophet Isaiah to your fathers, 26 saying,

‘Go to this people and say,

“⌊You will keep on hearing⌋i and will never understand,

and ⌊you will keep on seeing⌋j and will never perceive.

27 For the heart of this people has become dull,

and with their* ears they hear with difficulty,

and they have shut their eyes,

lest they see with their* eyes,

and hear with their* ears,

and understand with their* heart,

and turn, and I would heal them.” ’k

28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They also will listen!”l

30 So he stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

The Letter of Paul to the

Romans

Greeting

1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was born ⌊a descendant⌋a of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared Son of God in power according to ⌊the Holy Spirit⌋b by the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship for the obedience of faith among all the Gentilesc on behalf of his name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ. 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God, called to be saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul Wants to Visit Rome

8 First, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed in the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, is my witness, how constantly I make mention of you, 10 always asking in my prayers if somehow now at last I may succeed to come to you in the will of God. 11 For I desire to see you, in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, in order to strengthen you, 12 that is, to be encouraged together with you through ⌊our mutual faith⌋d, both yours and mine. 13 Now I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that often I intended to come to you, and was prevented until now, in order that I might have some fruit among you also, just as also among the rest of the Gentiles.e 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 Thus ⌊I am eager⌋f to proclaim the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

The Gospel’s Power for Salvation

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For the righteousness of God is revealed in it from faith to faith, just as it is written, “But the one who is righteous by faith will live.”g

God’s Wrath Revealed Against Sinful Humanity

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all impiety and unrighteousness of people, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what can be known about God is evident amongh them, for God made it clear to them. 20 For from the creation of the world, his invisible attributes, both his eternal power and deity, are discerned clearly, being understood in the things created, so that they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasoning, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God with the likeness of an image of mortal human beings and birds and quadrupeds and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to immorality, that their bodies would be dishonored among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God with a lie, and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed for eternity. Amen.

God Hands Sinful Humanity over to Depravity

26 Because of this, God gave them over to degrading passions, for their females exchanged the natural relations for those contrary to nature, 27 and likewise also the males, abandoning the natural relations with the female, were inflamed in their desire toward one another, males with males committing the shameless deed, and receiving in themselves the penalty that was necessary for their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit ⌊to recognize God⌋i, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do the things that are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greediness, malice, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malevolence. They are gossipers, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boasters, contrivers of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 senseless, faithless, unfeeling, unmerciful, 32 who, although they* know the requirements of God, that those who do such things are worthy of death, not only do they do the same things, but also they approve of those who do them.

The Righteous and Impartial Judgment of God

2 Therefore you are without excuse, O man, every one of you who passes judgment. For in that which you pass judgment on someone else, you condemn yourself, for you who are passing judgment are doing the same things. 2 Now we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who do such things. 3 But do you think this, O man who passes judgment on those who do such things, and who does the same things, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the wealth of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will reward each one according to his works: 7 to those who, by perseverance in good work, seek glory and honor and immortality, eternal life, 8 but to those who act from selfish ambition and who disobey the truth, but who obey unrighteousness, wrath and anger. 9 There will be affliction and distress for every ⌊human being⌋a who does evil, of the Jew first and of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous.b 14 For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things of the law, these, although they* do not have the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written on their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts one after another accusing or even defending them 16 on the day when God judges the secret things of people, according to my gospel, throughc Christ Jesus.

Jews also Condemned by the Law

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve the things that are superior, because you* are instructed by the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light of those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21 Therefore, the one who teaches someone else, do you not teach yourself? The one who preaches not to steal, do you steal? 22 The one who says not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one who abhors idols, do you rob temples? 23 Who boast in the law, by the transgression of the law you dishonor God!d 24 For just as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”e

25 For circumcision is of value if you do the law, but if you should be a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 Therefore, if the uncircumcised person follows the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be credited for circumcision? 27 And the uncircumcised person by nature who carries out the law will judge you who, though provided with ⌊the precise written code⌋f and circumcision are a transgressor of the law. 28 For the Jew is not ⌊one outwardly⌋g, nor is circumcision ⌊outwardly⌋h, in the flesh. 29 But the Jew ⌊is one inwardly⌋i, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter, whose praise is not from people but from God.