Romans 7:7-19 in English

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet:

⁸ but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the law sin is dead.

⁹ And I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died;

¹⁰ and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death:

¹¹ for sin, finding occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me.

¹² So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.

¹³ Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;—that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good.

¹⁷ So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not.

¹⁹ For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

⁸ But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

⁹ For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

¹⁰ And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

¹² Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

¹³ Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

¹⁶ If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

¹⁷ Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet:

⁸ but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the law sin is dead.

⁹ And I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died;

¹⁰ and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death:

¹¹ for sin, finding occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me.

¹² So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.

¹³ Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shewn to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;—that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good.

¹⁷ So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not.

¹⁹ For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise.

⁷ Someone might object, saying, “◄The laws that God gave Moses must be evil if our sinful desires are increased because of our knowing those laws. MTY/Are not the laws that God gave Moses evil if they stir up our sinful desires?►” MTY, RHQ I would reply that they certainly are not evil, even though our sinful desires are increased. What I would reply is that I, for example, realized that what I was doing was sinful only because of what is written { Moses wrote} in those laws. For example, I realized that coveting is sinful only because he wrote in those laws PRS, “You must not covet.”

⁸ And because of what that commandment stated, my sinful desire to have things that belong to others PRS caused me to covet in many ways. Our desire to sin is not stimulated MET when there is no law that prohibits our doing sinful things.

⁹ Formerly, when I did not know what God's laws required, I used to live without worrying about what I was doing. But when I became aware that God commanded, “You must not covet,” I suddenly realized PRS that I was sinning,

¹⁰ and I realized that I was separated from God. The laws that I thought would enable me to live eternally as a result of my obeying them caused me to realize that I was separated from God!

¹¹ My desire to sin found a way PRS to deceive me by making me think wrongly that I could keep on sinning and at the same time obey those laws enough so that I would live eternally, and thus it caused me to be separated from God PRS.

¹² So we conclude that the laws that God gave to Moses are holy. What God commanded about not coveting, along with all the other things that he commanded, is also holy, and it is just and good.

¹³ So, if someone were to object saying, “ The laws that God gave Moses, which are good, ◄resulted in my being separated from God!/did they result in my being separated from God?► RHQ” I would reply, “Certainly they did not do that!” But instead, those laws, which are good, stimulated my desire to sin. I knew that the result was that I was separated from God. And also, because I learned what God had commanded, I knew that what I was doing was truly sinful.

¹⁴ We know that the laws that God gave Moses came from God's Spirit. But as for me, I am influenced by my self-directed nature. It is as though I have been forced to become a slave of my desire to sin MET.

¹⁵ The things that I do, I often HYP do not understand. That is, sometimes HYP it is the good things that I want to do that I do not do. And sometimes HYP it is the evil things that I detest that I do.

¹⁶ Since I do the evil things that I do not want to do, I agree that the laws of God are good.

¹⁷ So, it is not that I do evil things because I wish to do them. Instead, what happens is that I do sinful things because the desire to sin causes me to do them. The desire to sin ◄is within/permeates► me PRS.

¹⁸ I know that my self-directed nature will not let me PRS do anything that is good. I know this because I want to do what is good, but I do not do what is good.

¹⁹ I do not do the good things that I want to do. Instead, it is evil things that I do not want to do that I do.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

⁸ But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

⁹ I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

¹⁰ The commandment which was for life, this I found to be for death;

¹¹ for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.

¹² Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous, and good.

¹³ Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was producing death in me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.

¹⁷ So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.

¹⁹ For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

⁸ But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

⁹ I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

¹⁰ The commandment which was for life, this I found to be for death;

¹¹ for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.

¹² Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous, and good.

¹³ Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was producing death in me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.

¹⁷ So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.

¹⁹ For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

⁸ But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

⁹ I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

¹⁰ The commandment which was for life, this I found to be for death;

¹¹ for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.

¹² Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous, and good.

¹³ Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was producing death in me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practise what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.

¹⁷ So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.

¹⁹ For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practise.

⁷ What then is to be said? is the law sin? in no way. But I would not have had knowledge of sin but for the law: for I would not have been conscious of desire if the law had not said, You may not have a desire for what is another's.

⁸ But sin, taking its chance through that which was ordered by the law, was working in me every form of desire: because without the law sin is dead.

⁹ And there was a time when I was living without the law: but when the law gave its orders, sin came to life and put me to death;

¹⁰ And I made the discovery that the law whose purpose was to give life had become a cause of death:

¹¹ For I was tricked and put to death by sin, which took its chance through the law.

¹² But the law is holy, and its orders are holy, upright, and good.

¹³ Was then that which is good, death to me? In no way. But the purpose was that sin might be seen to be sin by working death to me through that which is good; so that through the orders of the law sin might seem much more evil.

¹⁴ For we are conscious that the law is of the spirit; but I am of the flesh, given into the power of sin.

¹⁵ And I have no clear knowledge of what I am doing, for that which I have a mind to do, I do not, but what I have hate for, that I do.

¹⁶ But, if I do that which I have no mind to do, I am in agreement with the law that the law is good.

¹⁷ So it is no longer I who do it, but the sin living in me.

¹⁸ For I am conscious that in me, that is, in my flesh, there is nothing good: I have the mind but not the power to do what is right.

¹⁹ For the good which I have a mind to do, I do not: but the evil which I have no mind to do, that I do.

⁷ What shall we say then? is the law sin? Far be the thought. But I had not known sin, unless by law: for I had not had conscience also of lust unless the law had said, Thou shalt not lust;

⁸ but sin, getting a point of attack by the commandment, wrought in me every lust; for without law sin was dead.

⁹ But I was alive without law once; but the commandment having come, sin revived, but I died.

¹⁰ And the commandment, which was for life, was found, as to me, itself to be unto death:

¹¹ for sin, getting a point of attack by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

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

¹³ Did then that which is good become death to me? Far be the thought. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death to me by that which is good; in order that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For that which I do, I do not own: for not what I will, this I do; but what I hate, this I practise.

¹⁶ But if what I do not will, this I practise, I consent to the law that it is right.

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

¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, good does not dwell: for to will is there with me, but to do right I find not.

¹⁹ For I do not practise the good that I will; but the evil I do not will, that I do.

⁷ What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? God forbid. But I do not know sin, but by the law; for I had not known concupiscence, if the law did not say: Thou shalt not covet.

⁸ But sin taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

⁹ And I lived some time without the law. But when the commandment came, sin revived,

¹⁰ And I died. And the commandment that was ordained to life, the same was found to be unto death to me.

¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, seduced me, and by it killed me.

¹² Wherefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

¹³ Was that then which is good, made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it may appear sin, by that which is good, wrought death in me; that sin, by the commandment, might become sinful above measure.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For that which I work, I understand not. For I do not that good which I will; but the evil which I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ If then I do that which I will not, I consent to the law, that it is good.

¹⁷ Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

¹⁸ For I know that there dwelleth not in me, that is to say, in my flesh, that which is good. For to will, is present with me; but to accomplish that which is good, I find not.

¹⁹ For the good which I will, I do not; but the evil which I will not, that I do.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? By no means! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known lust unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

⁸ But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of lust. For apart from the law sin was dead.

⁹ For I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, but I died.

¹⁰ And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death.

¹¹ For sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and by it, killed me.

¹² Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy and righteous and good.

¹³ Then has that which is good become death to me? By no means! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through that which is good, so that sin through 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 am doing, I do not know. For what I want to do, I do not do; but what I hate, this I do.

¹⁶ But if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good.

¹⁷ But now it is no longer I who am doing it, but the sin living in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to do what is good, I do not find.

¹⁹ For the good that I want to do I do not do; but the evil I do not want to do, this I practice.

⁷ So what shall we say then? Is the law sin? Of course not! Indeed, I would not have come to know the sin except through the law: I would not have recognized covetousness if the law had not said, “You must not covet.”

⁸ But the sin, grasping an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. Now without the law sin is dead.

⁹ Once upon a time, without law, I was actually ‘alive’; but when the commandment came, the sin came to life and I died.

¹⁰ Yes, the commandment that was to bring me life turned out to bring death.

¹¹ Because the sin, grasping an opportunity through the commandment, completely deceived me, and used it to ‘kill’ me.

¹² So then, the law itself is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

¹³ So has what is good become death to me? Of course not! Rather the sin, that it might be exposed as sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment the sin might become extremely sinful.

¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, having been ‘sold’ under sin

¹⁵ —you see, I do not understand what I am doing: I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate!

¹⁶ But if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good.

¹⁷ So now it is no longer I who am doing it, but the sin dwelling in me.

¹⁸ Further, I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; because to will is present with me, but I do not find how to perform the good.

¹⁹ Because I do not do the good that I want to do; rather I practice the evil that I do not want to do.

⁷ So what do we conclude? That the law is sin? Of course not! I wouldn't have known what sin was unless the law defined it. I wouldn't have realized that wanting to have other people's things for myself was wrong without the law that says, “Don't desire for yourself what belongs to someone else.”

⁸ But through this commandment sin found a way to stir up in me all kinds of selfish desires—for without law, sin is dead.

⁹ I used to live without realizing what the law really meant, but when I understood the implications of that commandment, then sin came back to life, and I died.

¹⁰ I discovered that the very commandment that was meant to bring life brought death instead,

¹¹ because sin found a way through the commandment to deceive me, and used the commandment to kill me!

¹² However, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, right, and good.

¹³ Now would something that is good kill me? Of course not! But sin shows itself to be sin by using good to cause my death. So by means of the commandment, it's revealed how evil sin really is.

¹⁴ We realize that the law is spiritual; but I'm all-too-human, a slave to sin.

¹⁵ I really don't understand what I'm doing. I do the things I don't want to do, and what I hate doing, that's what I do!

¹⁶ But if I'm saying that I do what I don't want to, this shows that I admit the law is good and right.

¹⁷ So it's no longer me who does this, but sin living in me—

¹⁸ for I know that there's nothing good in me as far as my sinful human nature is concerned. Even though I want to do good, I'm just not able to do it.

¹⁹ The good I want to do, I don't do; while the evil I don't want to do, that's what I end up doing!

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the Lawe sinne? God forbid. Nay, I knewe not sinne, but by the Lawe: for I had not knowen lust, except the Lawe had sayd, Thou shalt not lust.

⁸ But sinne tooke an occasion by ye commandement, and wrought in me all maner of concupiscence: for without the Lawe sinne is dead.

⁹ For I once was aliue, without the Law: but when the commandement came, sinne reuiued,

¹⁰ But I died: and the same commandement which was ordeined vnto life, was found to be vnto me vnto death.

¹¹ For sinne tooke occasion by the commandement, and deceiued me, and thereby slewe me.

¹² Wherefore the Lawe is holy, and that commandement is holy, and iust, and good.

¹³ Was that then which is good, made death vnto me? God forbid: but sinne, that it might appeare sinne, wrought death in me by that which is good, that sinne might be out of measure sinfull by the commandement.

¹⁴ For we knowe that the Law is spirituall, but I am carnall, solde vnder sinne.

¹⁵ For I alow not that which I do: for what I would, that do I not: but what I hate, that do I.

¹⁶ If I doe then that which I woulde not, I consent to the Lawe, that it is good.

¹⁷ Nowe then, it is no more I, that doe it, but sinne that dwelleth in me.

¹⁸ For I know, that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to wil is preset with me: but I find no meanes to perform that which is good.

¹⁹ For I doe not the good thing, which I would, but the euil, which I would not, that do I.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

⁸ But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

⁹ For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

¹⁰ And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

¹² Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

¹³ Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

¹⁶ If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

¹⁷ Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

⁷ What then shall we say? Is the Law sin? God forbid! But I should not have known sin, except by the Law; for I should not have known sinful desire, unless the Law had said, “Thou shalt not covet.”

⁸ But sin, seizing the opportunity, wrought in me by means of the commandment all manner of sinful desire; for without the Law sin is dead.

⁹ And I, apart from the Law, was once alive; but when the commandment came, sin came to life again, and I died;

¹⁰ and the very commandment whose design was life, I found to issue in death.

¹¹ For sin, seizing the opportunity, deceived me through the commandment, and through it slew me.

¹² So that the Law is holy, and the commandment holy, and right, and good.

¹³ Did then that which is good become death to me? Far be it! but sin; that it might become manifest as sin, causing death to me by means of that which is good; that sin by means of the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, a slave sold to sin.

¹⁵ For I know not what I do. For I do not what I would, but I do what I hate.

¹⁶ But if I do what I would not, I assent to the Law that it is good.

¹⁷ Now, however, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

¹⁸ For I know that there dwelleth not in me, that is, in my flesh, any good thing; for to desire is present with me, but not to perform that which is good.

¹⁹ For the good that I would, I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do.

⁷ What are we to say, then? That Law and sin are the same thing? Heaven forbid! On the contrary, I should not have learnt what sin is, had not it been for Law. If the Law did not say ‘You must not covet,’ I should not know what it is to covet.

⁸ But sin took advantage of the Commandment to arouse in me every form of covetousness, for where there is no consciousness of Law sin shows no sign of life.

⁹ There was a time when I myself, unconscious of Law, was alive; but when the Commandment was brought home to me, sin sprang into life, while I died!

¹⁰ The Commandment that should have meant life I found to result in death!

¹¹ sin took advantage of the Commandment to deceive me, and used it to bring about my death.

¹² And so the Law is holy, and each Commandment is also holy, and just, and good.

¹³ Did, then, a thing, which in itself was good, involve death in my case? Heaven forbid! It was sin that involved death; so that, by its use of what I regarded as good to bring about my death, its true nature might appear; and in this way the Commandment showed how intensely sinful sin is.

¹⁴ We know that the Law is spiritual, but I am earthly — sold into slavery to sin.

¹⁵ I do not understand my own actions. For I am so far from habitually doing what I want to do, that I find myself doing the thing that I hate.

¹⁶ But when I do what I want not to do, I am admitting that the Law is right.

¹⁷ This being so, the action is no longer my own, but is done by the sin which is within me.

¹⁸ I know that there is nothing good in me — I mean in my earthly nature. For, although it is easy for me to want to do right, to act rightly is not easy.

¹⁹ I fail to do the good thing that I want to do, but the bad thing that I want not to do — that I habitually do.

⁷ What are we to say, then? That Law and sin are the same thing? Heaven forbid! On the contrary, I should not have learned what sin is, had not it been for Law. If the Law did not say ‘You must not covet,’ I should not know what it is to covet.

⁸ But sin took advantage of the Commandment to arouse in me every form of covetousness, for where there is no consciousness of Law sin shows no sign of life.

⁹ There was a time when I myself, unconscious of Law, was alive; but when the Commandment was brought home to me, sin sprang into life, while I died!

¹⁰ The Commandment that should have meant life I found to result in death!

¹¹ sin took advantage of the Commandment to deceive me, and used it to bring about my death.

¹² And so the Law is holy, and each Commandment is also holy, and just, and good.

¹³ Did, then, a thing, which in itself was good, involve death in my case? Heaven forbid! It was sin that involved death; so that, by its use of what I regarded as good to bring about my death, its true nature might appear; and in this way the Commandment showed how intensely sinful sin is.

¹⁴ We know that the Law is spiritual, but I am earthly — sold into slavery to sin.

¹⁵ I do not understand my own actions. For I am so far from habitually doing what I want to do, that I find myself doing the thing that I hate.

¹⁶ But when I do what I want not to do, I am admitting that the Law is right.

¹⁷ This being so, the action is no longer my own, but is done by the sin which is within me.

¹⁸ I know that there is nothing good in me — I mean in my earthly nature. For, although it is easy for me to want to do right, to act rightly is not easy.

¹⁹ I fail to do the good thing that I want to do, but the bad thing that I want not to do — that I habitually do.

⁷ Some people might reckon the old law is no good because it made us go wrong, but that’s not true. It is like this. The law shows me the things that are wrong. For example, one part of that law says, “Don’t think about getting something for yourself if it belongs to somebody else.” Before I ever knew that law I didn’t ever think like that.

⁸ But after I heard that law, then I started to think that bad way. You see, if I don’t ever hear that law I will not go wrong like that.

⁹ Before I ever heard the law I was alive, but then that law woke that bad part of me up and now it makes me go wrong,

¹⁰ so I have to die. That law’s job was to show me how I can live, but all it did was this, it told me, “You will die.”

¹¹ That bad part of me used the law to trick me so that I did bad things, and now I know that I will die.

¹² But that law itself is really good. It tells us to do things that are right and good.

¹³ But if that law is good, will that good thing make me die? No way. It was like this – the law showed me what is right and what is wrong, and after I knew this, that bad part of me used that law to tell me that I’ve got to die. So that law does this. It shows us that it is really bad to go wrong and to do bad things.

¹⁴ The problem is not the law, it is me. We know this. A long time ago God told Moses to write down that law, so there is nothing wrong with the law. But there is something wrong with me. I’m just a normal human. I keep going wrong. There is a bad part of me inside me that is my boss and I have to do everything that this boss tells me to do.

¹⁵ I don’t understand it. I want to do good things. But I can’t do those good things that I want to do. What I do are the things that I hate.

¹⁶ I know that I want to be better, and this shows that, really, I reckon the law is good.

¹⁷ So, really, it’s not me that does those bad things. It’s that bad part of me that is inside me.

¹⁸ I know that I can’t do anything good by myself. I want to do the right thing but I can’t.

¹⁹ I keep trying to do good things, but I can’t. No, I keep doing the bad things I don’t want to do.

⁷ What shall we saye then? is the lawe synne? God forbid: but I knewe not what synne meant but by the lawe. For I had not knowne what lust had meant excepte the lawe had sayde thou shalt not lust.

⁸ But synne toke an occasion by the meanes of the commaundement and wrought in me all manner of concupiscece. For with out the lawe synne was deed.

⁹ I once lived with out lawe. But when the commaundement came synne revyved and I was deed.

¹⁰ And the very same comaundement which was ordeyned vnto lyfe was founde to be vnto me an occasion of deeth.

¹¹ For synne toke occasion by the meanes of the comaundement and so disceaved me and by the selfe commaundement slewe me.

¹² Wherfore the lawe is holy and the commaundement holy iust and good.

¹³ Was that then which is good made deeth vnto me? God forbyd. Naye synne was deeth vnto me that it myght appere how that synne by the meanes of that which is good had wrought deeth in me: that synne which is vnder the commandement myght be out of measure synfull.

¹⁴ For we knowe that the lawe is spirituall: but I am carnall solde vnder synne

¹⁵ because I wote not what I doo. For what I wold that do I not: but what I hate that do I.

¹⁶ Yf I do now that which I wolde not I graute to the lawe that it is good.

¹⁷ So then nowe it is not I that do it but synne that dwelleth in me.

¹⁸ For I knowe that in me (that is to saye in my flesshe) dwelleth no good thinge. To will is present with me: but I fynde no meanes to performe that which is good.

¹⁹ For I doo not that good thinge which I wold: but that evill do I which I wolde not.

⁷ What will we say then? Is the law itself sin? May it never be. However, I would never have known sin, if it were not through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law said, “You must not covet.”

⁸ But sin took the opportunity through the commandment and brought about every lust in me. For without the law, sin is dead.

⁹ At one time I was alive without the law, but when the commandment came, sin regained life, and I died.

¹⁰ The commandment that was to bring life turned out to be death for me.

¹¹ For sin took the opportunity through the commandment and deceived me. Through the commandment it killed me.

¹² So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.

¹³ So did what is good become death to me? May it never be. But sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin through what is good, brought about death in me. This was in order that through the commandment, sin might become sinful beyond measure.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh. I have been sold under slavery to sin.

¹⁵ For what I do, I do not really understand. For what I want to do, I do not do, and what I hate, I do.

¹⁶ But if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law that the law is good.

¹⁷ But now it is no longer I who do it, but the sin that lives in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is in my flesh, lives no good thing. For the desire for good is with me, but I cannot do it.

¹⁹ For the good that I want I do not do, but the evil that I do not want, that I do.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

⁸ But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

⁹ I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

¹⁰ The commandment which was for life, this I found to be for death;

¹¹ for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.

¹² Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous, and good.

¹³ Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was producing death in me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.

¹⁷ So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.

¹⁹ For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

⁸ But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

⁹ I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

¹⁰ The commandment which was for life, this I found to be for death;

¹¹ for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.

¹² Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous, and good.

¹³ Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was producing death in me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practise what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.

¹⁷ So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.

¹⁹ For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practise.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? By no means. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

⁸ But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

⁹ For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

¹⁰ And the commandment which was ordained to life, I found to be to death.

¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me .

¹² Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

¹³ Was then that which is good made death to me? By no means. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ If then I do that which I would not, I consent to the law that it is good.

¹⁷ Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good, I find not.

¹⁹ For the good that I would, I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

⁸ But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

⁹ I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

¹⁰ The commandment which was for life, this I found to be for death;

¹¹ for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.

¹² Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous, and good.

¹³ Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was producing death in me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.

¹⁷ So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.

¹⁹ For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

⁸ But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

⁹ I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

¹⁰ The commandment which was for life, this I found to be for death;

¹¹ for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.

¹² Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous, and good.

¹³ Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was producing death in me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practise what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.

¹⁷ So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.

¹⁹ For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practise.

⁷ What therefore shall we say? The law is sin? God forbid. But I knew not sin, but by the law; for I knew not that coveting was sin, but for the law said, Thou shalt not covet.

⁸ And through occasion taken, sin by the commandment hath wrought in me all covetousness; for without the law, sin was dead.

⁹ And I lived without the law sometime; but when the commandment was come or had come, sin lived again. But I was dead,

¹⁰ and this commandment that was to life, was found to me, to be to death.

¹¹ For sin, through occasion taken by the commandment, deceived me, and by that it slew me.

¹² Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, and just, and good.

¹³ Is then that thing that is good, made death to me? God forbid. But sin, that it seem sin, through good thing wrought death to me, that me or that men sin over-manner through the commandment.

¹⁴ And we know, that the law is spiritual; but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For I understand not that that I work; for I do not the good thing that I will, but I do that evil thing that I hate.

¹⁶ And if I do that thing that I will not, I consent to the law, that it is good.

¹⁷ But now I work not it now, but the sin that dwelleth in me.

¹⁸ But I know, that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good; for will lieth to me, but I find not to perform good thing.

¹⁹ For I do not that good thing that I will, but I do that evil thing that I will not.

⁷ What therefore shall we say? The law is sin? God forbid. But I knew not sin, no but by the law, (or But I did not know sin, except for the Law); for I knew not that coveting was sin, no but for the law said, Thou shalt not covet.

⁸ And through occasion taken, sin by the commandment hath wrought in me all covetousness; for without the law, sin was dead.

⁹ And I lived without the law sometime; but when the commandment was come or but when the commandment had come, sin lived again. But I was dead,

¹⁰ and this commandment that was to life, was found to me, to be to death.

¹¹ For sin, through occasion taken by the commandment, deceived me, and by that it slew me.

¹² Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, and just, and good.

¹³ Is then that thing that is good, made death to me? God forbid. But sin, that it seem sin, through good thing wrought death to me, (so) that me sin over-manner/(so) that men sin over-manner through the commandment. Therefore that that is good, is made death to me? Far be it. But that sin appear, or be known, (as) sin, through good thing wrought death to me, (so) that there be made sin sinning over-manner or over-measure, by (the) commandment.

¹⁴ And we know, that the law is spiritual; but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

¹⁵ For I understand not that that I work; for I do not the good thing that I will, (or for I do not do the good thing that I desire to do), but I do that evil thing that I hate.

¹⁶ And if I do that thing that I will not, (then) I consent to the law, that it is good. (And if I do that which I do not desire to do, then I agree with the Law, that it is good, or that it is right.)

¹⁷ But now I work not it now, but the sin that dwelleth in me. Now soothly I work not it now/Now soothly I work not that thing now, but that sin that dwelleth in me.

¹⁸ But I know, that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good; for will lieth to me, (or for the will, or the desire, to do good, lieth before me), but I find not (how) to perform (any) good thing.

¹⁹ For I do not that good thing that I will, but I do that evil thing that I will not. (For I do not do that good thing that I desire to do, but I do that evil thing that I do not desire to do.)

⁷ What, then, shall we say? the law is sin? let it not be! but the sin I did not know except through law, for also the covetousness I had not known if the law had not said:

⁸ 'Thou shalt not covet;' and the sin having received an opportunity, through the command, did work in me all covetousness — for apart from law sin is dead.

⁹ And I was alive apart from law once, and the command having come, the sin revived, and I died;

¹⁰ and the command that is for life, this was found by me for death;

¹¹ for the sin, having received an opportunity, through the command, did deceive me, and through it did slay me;

¹² so that the law, indeed, is holy, and the command holy, and righteous, and good.

¹³ That which is good then, to me hath it become death? let it not be! but the sin, that it might appear sin, through the good, working death to me, that the sin might become exceeding sinful through the command,

¹⁴ for we have known that the law is spiritual, and I am fleshly, sold by the sin;

¹⁵ for that which I work, I do not acknowledge; for not what I will, this I practise, but what I hate, this I do.

¹⁶ And if what I do not will, this I do, I consent to the law that it is good,

¹⁷ and now it is no longer I that work it, but the sin dwelling in me,

¹⁸ for I have known that there doth not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh, good: for to will is present with me, and to work that which is right I do not find,

¹⁹ for the good that I will, I do not; but the evil that I do not will, this I practise.