Romans 3:1-8 in English

¹ What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision?

² Much every way: first of all, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God.

³ For what if some were without faith? shall their want of faith make of none effect the faithfulness of God?

⁴ God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.

⁵ But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visiteth with wrath? (I speak after the manner of men.)

⁶ God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

⁷ But 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 condemnation is just.

¹ What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

² Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

³ For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

⁴ God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

⁵ But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

⁶ God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

⁷ For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

⁸ And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

¹ What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision?

² Much every way: first of all, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God.

³ For what if some were without faith? shall their want of faith make of none effect the faithfulness of God?

⁴ God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.

⁵ But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visiteth with wrath? (I speak after the manner of men.)

⁶ God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

⁷ But 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 be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.

¹ Someone may object to this, saying, “ If being circumcised does not cause God to accept us Jews, ◄there is no advantage in being a Jew over being a non-Jew./is there any advantage in being a Jew over being a non-Jew?► RHQ Being circumcised does not benefit us Jews at all!”

² I would reply that being Jews benefits us in many ways HYP. First of all, it benefits us because it was to our ancestors that God's words, words that contain his promises, were given {that God gave his words, words that contain his promises}.

³ Many Jews did not obey God as they promised that they would. So someone might ask, “Does their not being faithful mean that God will not bless us Jews as he promised that he would?”

⁴ I would reply, “No, it certainly does not mean that! God always does what he has promised, even though people do not. All those who accuse God of not keeping his promises to us Jews are very mistaken.” What King David wrote about God's justly saying that he would punish him for his sins is also true of those who accuse God of not keeping his promises. What he said to God was, “So everyone must acknowledge that what you (sg) have said about them (OR, their sin) is true, and you will always win the case when you are accused {when people accuse you}.”

⁵ So if we Jews' being wicked PRS shows that it is right that God does not bless us, what shall we say/conclude? Shall we conclude that it is not right for God to be angry and punish us Jews MTY? I should not be saying these things, but I am speaking as ordinary humans speak.

⁶ We should certainly not conclude that God should not judge us, because if God did not judge us Jews, ◄it would not possibly be right for him to judge anyone in the world MTY!/how could he judge anyone in the world?► MTY, RHQ

⁷ But someone might object and say to me, “The fact that God truly keeps his promises becomes very clear/evident because of my not doing what God has commanded. But the result is that people praise God! So ◄God should no longer say that I should be punished {that he should punish me} on account of my having sinned!/why should God still say that I should be punished {that he should punish me} on account of my having sinned?► RHQ

⁸ If what you, Paul, say is true, then ◄we might as well/it is all right for us to► do evil things in order that good things like that will result! For example, then people will praise God!” Some people speak evil about me by their falsely saying that I say such things. God will fairly/justly punish people who say such things about me!

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

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

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

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.”

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.

⁶ May it never be! For then how will 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?

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.

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

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

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

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.”

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.

⁶ May it never be! For then how will 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?

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.

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

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

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

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 judgement.”

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.

⁶ May it never be! For then how will 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?

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.

¹ How then is the Jew better off? or what profit is there in circumcision?

² Much in every way: first of all because the words of God were given to them.

³ And if some have no faith, will that make the faith of God without effect?

⁴ In no way: but let God be true, though every man is seen to be untrue; as it is said in the Writings, That your words may be seen to be true, and you may be seen to be right when you are judged.

⁵ But if the righteousness of God is supported by our wrongdoing what is to be said? is it wrong for God to be angry (as men may say)?

⁶ In no way: because if it is so, how is God able to be the judge of all the world?

⁷ But if, because I am untrue, God being seen to be true gets more glory, why am I to be judged as a sinner?

⁸ Let us not do evil so that good may come (a statement which we are falsely said by some to have made), because such behaviour will have its right punishment.

¹ What then is the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of circumcision?

² Much every way: and first, indeed, that to them were entrusted the oracles of God.

³ For what? if some have not believed, shall their unbelief make the faith of God of none effect?

⁴ Far be the thought: but let God be true, and every man false; according as it is written, So that thou shouldest be justified in thy words, and shouldest overcome when thou art in judgment.

⁵ But if our unrighteousness commend God's righteousness, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak according to man.

⁶ Far be the thought: since how shall God judge the world?

⁷ For if the truth of God, in my lie, has more abounded to his glory, why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

⁸ and not, according as we are injuriously charged, and according as some affirm that we say, Let us practise evil things, that good ones may come? whose judgment is just.

¹ What advantage then hath the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

² Much every way. First indeed, because the words of God were committed to them.

³ For what if some of them have not believed? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid.

⁴ But God is 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 injustice commend the justice of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust, who executeth wrath?

⁶ (I speak according to man.) God forbid: otherwise how shall God judge this world?

⁷ For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie, unto his glory, why am I also yet judged as a sinner?

⁸ And not rather (as we are slandered, and as some affirm that we say) let us do evil, that there may come good? whose damnation is just.

¹ What then is the superiority of the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

² Much in every way! First of all, that they were entrusted with the very words of God!

³ For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God?

⁴ By no means! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar, just as it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, and You may prevail when You are judged.”

⁵ But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Surely God, the One inflicting wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I speak as a man.)

⁶ By no means! For otherwise how shall God judge the world?

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

⁸ And why not say, “Let us do evil so that good may come”?—just as we are slandered, and just as some affirm that we say. The judgment of whom is just.

¹ So what advantage does the Jew have, or what is the profit of circumcision?

² Much in every way! First of all, because they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

³ So, what if some did not believe? Their unbelief will not nullify God's faithfulness, will it?

⁴ Of course not! Rather, let God be found true, but every man a liar; just as it is written: “That you may be justified in your words, and may overcome when you are judged.”

⁵ Now if our unrighteousness highlights God's righteousness, what shall we say? God is not unrighteous for inflicting His wrath, is He? (I speak as a man.)

⁶ Of course not! Otherwise, how will God judge the world?

⁷ Still, if the truth of God abounded to His glory by my falsehood, just why am I still judged as a sinner?

⁸ However, we must not say, “Let us do evil so that good may come” (as some people slanderously claim that we do)—their condemnation is well deserved!

¹ So does a Jew have any advantage? Does circumcision have any benefits?

² Yes, there are many benefits! First of all, God's message was entrusted to them.

³ What if some of them didn't trust in God? Does their lack of trust in God obliterate the trustworthiness of God?

⁴ Of course not! Even if everyone else is proved to be lying, God always tells the truth. As Scripture says, “What you say will be proved right, and you will win your case when you are judged.”

⁵ But if the fact that we're wrong helps to show that God is right, what should we conclude? That God is wrong to pronounce judgment on us? (I'm talking from a human perspective here.)

⁶ Of course not! How else could God judge the world?

⁷ Someone could say, “Why am I still condemned as a sinner if my lies make the truth of God and his glory more obvious in contrast?”

⁸ Is it a case of, “Let's sin to bring about good”? That's what some people have slanderously accused us of saying. They should be rightly condemned!

¹ What is then the preferment of the Iewe? or what is the profite of circumcision?

² Much euery maner of way: for chiefly, because vnto them were of credite committed the oracles of God.

³ For what, though some did not beleeue? shall their vnbeliefe make the faith of God without effect?

⁴ God forbid: yea, let God be true, and euery man a lyar, as it is written, That thou mightest be iustified in thy words, and ouercome, when thou art iudged.

⁵ Now if our vnrighteousnes comend the righteousnes of God, what shall we say? Is God vnrighteous which punisheth? (I speake as a man.)

⁶ God forbid: els how shall God iudge ye world?

⁷ For if the veritie of God hath more abounded through my lye vnto his glorie, why am I yet condemned as a sinner?

⁸ And (as we are blamed, and as some affirme, that we say) why doe we not euil, that good may come thereof? whose damnation is iust.

¹ What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

² Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

³ For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

⁴ God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

⁵ But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

⁶ God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

⁷ For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

⁸ And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

¹ What then is the advantage of the Jew? or what the benefit of circumcision?

² Great, every way. In the first place, because they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

³ For what? If some were unfaithful, shall their unfaithfulness make God unfaithful?

⁴ Far be it! yea, let God be true, and every man a liar; as it is written, “That thou mayst be justified in thy words, and mayst overcome when thou art arraigned.”

⁵ But if our unrighteousness serve to display the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicteth punishment? (I am speaking as men do.)

⁶ Far be it! For then how shall God judge the world?

⁷ For if, through my being false, the truth of God hath been more abundantly manifested to his glory, why am I still judged as a sinner?

⁸ And why do you not say, as some slanderously charge us with saying, Let us do evil, that good may come? The condemnation of such men is just.

¹ What is the advantage, then, of being a Jew? Or what is the good of circumcision?

² Great in every way. First of all, because the Jews were entrusted with God's utterances.

³ What follows then? Some, no doubt, showed a want of faith; but will their want of faith make God break faith? Heaven forbid!

⁴ God must prove true, though everyone prove a liar! As scripture says of God — ‘That you may be pronounced righteous in what you say, and gain your cause when people would judge you.’

⁵ But what if our wrong-doing makes God's righteousness all the clearer? Will God be wrong in inflicting punishment? (I can but speak as a person.) Heaven forbid!

⁶ Otherwise how can God judge the world?

⁷ But, if my falsehood redounds to the glory of God, by making his truthfulness more apparent, why am I like others, still condemned as a sinner?

⁸ Why should we not say — as some people slanderously assert that we do say — ‘Let us do evil that good may come’? The condemnation of such people is indeed just!

¹ What is the advantage, then, of being a Jew? Or what is the good of circumcision?

² Great in every way. First of all, because the Jews were entrusted with God's utterances.

³ What follows then? Some, no doubt, showed a want of faith; but will their want of faith make God break faith? Heaven forbid!

⁴ God must prove true, though everyone prove a liar! As scripture says of God — ‘That you may be pronounced righteous in what you say, and gain your cause when people would judge you.’

⁵ But what if our wrong-doing makes God's righteousness all the clearer? Will God be wrong in inflicting punishment? (I can but speak as a person.) Heaven forbid!

⁶ Otherwise how can God judge the world?

⁷ But, if my falsehood redounds to the glory of God, by making his truthfulness more apparent, why am I like others, still condemned as a sinner?

⁸ Why should we not say — as some people slanderously assert that we do say — ‘Let us do evil that good may come’? The condemnation of such people is indeed just!

¹ What preferment then hath the Iewe? other what a vauntageth circumcision?

² Surely very moche. Fyrst vnto them was committed the worde of God

³ What then though some of them did not beleve? shall their vnbeleve make the promes of god with out effecte?

⁴ God forbid. Let god be true and all men lyars as it is written: That thou myghtest be iustifyed in thy sayinge and shuldest overcome when thou arte iudged.

⁵ Yf oure vnrightewesnes make the rightewesnes of God more excellent: what shall we saye? Is God vnrighteous which taketh vengeauce? I speake after the maner of men.

⁶ God forbid. For how then shall God iudge the worlde?

⁷ Yf the veritie of God appere moare excellent thorow my lye vnto his prayse why am I hence forth iudged as a synner?

⁸ and saye not rather (as men evyll speake of vs and as some affirme that we saye) let vs do evyll that good maye come therof. Whose damnacion is iuste.

¹ Then what advantage does the Jew have? And what is the benefit of circumcision?

² It is great in every way. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with revelation from God.

³ For what if some Jews were without faith? Will their unbelief abolish God's faithfulness?

⁴ 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 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 would God judge the world?

⁷ 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 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.

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

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

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

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.”

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.

⁶ May it never be! For then how will 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?

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.

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

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

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

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 judgement.”

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.

⁶ May it never be! For then how will 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?

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.

¹ What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

² Much every way: chiefly, because that to them were committed the oracles of God.

³ For what if some did not believe? will their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

⁴ By no means: verily let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mayest be justified in thy sayings, and mayest overcome when thou art judged.

⁵ But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man.)

⁶ By no means: for then how shall God judge the world?

⁷ For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie to his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

⁸ And not rather (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

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

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

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

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.”

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.

⁶ May it never be! For then how will 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?

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.

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

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

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

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 judgement.”

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.

⁶ May it never be! For then how will 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?

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.

¹ What then is more to a Jew, or what profit of circumcision?

² Much by all wise or by all manner; first, for the speakings of God were betaken to them.

³ And what if some of them believed not? Whether the unbelief of them hath voided the faith of God?

⁴ God forbid. For God is soothfast, or true, but each man a liar; as it is written, That thou be justified in thy words, and overcome, when thou art deemed.

⁵ But if our wickedness commend the rightwiseness of God, what shall we say? Whether God is wicked, that bringeth in wrath? After man I say.

⁶ God forbid. Else how shall God deem this world?

⁷ For if the truth of God hath abounded in my leasing, into the glory of him, what yet am I deemed as a sinner?

⁸ And not as we be blasphemed, and as some say that we say, Do we evil things, that good things come. Whose damnation is just.

¹ What then is more to a Jew, or what (is the) profit of circumcision?

² Much by all wise or by all manner; first, for the speakings of God were betaken to them, (or first, for the speakings of God, or God’s messages, were delivered to them, or were given to them).

³ And what if some of them believed not? Whether the unbelief of them hath voided the faith of God? (or Hath their lack of faith made God’s faithfulness null and void?)

⁴ God forbid. For God is soothfast, or true, (or truthful), but each man (is) a liar; as it is written, That thou be justified in thy words, and overcome, when thou art deemed (or when thou art judged).

⁵ But if our wickedness commend the rightwiseness of God, what shall we say? Whether God is wicked, that bringeth in wrath? After man I say.

⁶ God forbid. Else how shall God deem this world? (God forbid. Or how else would God judge this world?)

⁷ For if the truth of God hath abounded in my leasing (or in my lying), into the glory of him, what yet am I deemed as a sinner? (For if God’s truth hath abounded in my lies, unto his glory, why am I still judged like a sinner?)

⁸ And not as we be blasphemed, and as some say that we say, Do we evil things, (so) that good things come. Whose damnation is just.

¹ What, then, is the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of the circumcision?

² much in every way; for first, indeed, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God;

³ for what, if certain were faithless? shall their faithlessness the faithfulness of god make useless?

⁴ let 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.'

⁵ And, 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)

⁶ let it not be! since how shall God judge the world?

⁷ for if the truth of God in my falsehood did more abound to His glory, why yet am I also as a sinner judged?

⁸ and 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.