Romans 3

1 Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision?

Then what advantage does the Jew have? And what is the benefit of circumcision?

2 Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the revelations of God.

It is great in every way. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with revelation from God.

3 For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God?

For what if some Jews were without faith? Will their unbelief abolish God's faithfulness?

4 May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, “that you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment.”

May it never be. Instead, let God be found to be true, even though every man is a liar. As it has been written, “That you might be shown to be righteous in your words, and that you might prevail when you come into judgment.”

5 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do.

But if our unrighteousness shows the righteousness of God, what can we say? Can we say that God is unrighteous to bring his wrath upon us? (I am using a human argument.)

6 May it never be! For then how will God judge the world?

May it never be! For then how would God judge the world?

7 For if the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

But if the truth of God through my lie provides abundant praise for him, why am I still being judged as a sinner?

8 Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), “Let’s do evil, that good may come?” Those who say so are justly condemned.

Why not say, as we are falsely reported to say, and as some affirm that we say, “Let us do evil, so that good may come”? The judgment on them is just.

9 What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

What then? Are we excusing ourselves? Not at all. For we have already accused both Jews and Greeks, all of them, of being under sin.

10 As it is written, “There is no one righteous; no, not one.

This is as it is written: “There is no one righteous, not one.

11 There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God.

There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God.

12 They have all turned away. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not so much as one.”

They have all turned away. They together have become useless. There is no one who does good, no, not even one.”

13 “Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.” “The poison of vipers is under their lips.”

“Their throat is an open grave. Their tongues have deceived. The poison of snakes is under their lips.”

14 “Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”

“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood.

“Their feet are swift to pour out blood.

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways.

Destruction and suffering are in their paths.

17 The way of peace, they haven’t known.”

These people have not known a way of peace.”

18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.

Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to the ones who are under the law. This is in order that every mouth may be shut, and the whole world held accountable to God.

20 Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

This is because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known. It was witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,

that is, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe. For there is no distinction.

23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,

24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

and they are freely justified by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

25 whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance;

For God provided Christ Jesus as a propitiation through faith in his blood. He offered Christ as proof of his justice, because of his disregard of previous sins

26 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time, that he might himself be just and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

in his patience. This all happened for the demonstration of his righteousness at this present time. This was so he could prove himself just, and to show that he justifies anyone because of faith in Jesus.

27 Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

Where then is boasting? It is excluded. On what grounds? Of works? No, but on the grounds of faith.

28 We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

We conclude then that a person is justified by faith without works of the law.

29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,

Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not also the God of Gentiles? Yes, of Gentiles also.

30 since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

If, indeed, God is one, he will justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.

Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! Instead, we uphold the law.