Chapter 1

  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 

  which he promised before through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 

  concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 

  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, 

  through whom we received grace and apostleship, to obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake. 

  Among whom you are also called to be Jesus Christ's. 

  To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. 

  For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, 

  requesting, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. 

  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established; 

  that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. 

  Now I don't desire to have you unaware, brothers, that often I planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles. 

  I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. 

  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 

  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

  For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith to faith. As it is written, 'But the righteous shall live by faith.' 

  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness, 

  because that which is known by God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. 

  For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. 

  Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. 

  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 

  and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. 

  Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, 

  who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 

  For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. 

  Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. 

  Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 

  being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, 

  backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 

  without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 

  who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with those who practice them.