1Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. (2Sa 12:5; Mt 7:2; Joh 8:7; Ro 1:20)2We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.3Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?4Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Ex 34:6; Isa 30:18; Ro 3:25; Ro 9:22; Ro 9:23; Ro 10:12; 2Pe 3:9; 2Pe 3:15; Re 2:21)5But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. (De 32:34; Ps 110:5; Jas 5:3)6He will render to each one according to his works: (Job 34:11; Ps 62:12; Pr 24:12; Jer 17:10; Jer 32:19; Mt 16:27)7to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; (Lu 8:15)8but for those who are self-seeking[1] and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. (2Th 2:12)9There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, (Eze 18:20; 1Pe 4:17)10but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. (Isa 57:19; Ro 1:16)11For God shows no partiality. (Ac 10:34)
God’s Judgment and the Law
12For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. (1Co 9:21)13For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. (Jas 1:22)14For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. (Ro 1:19)15They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them (Jer 31:33)16on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. (Ec 12:14; Ac 10:42; Ac 17:31; Ro 3:6; Ro 14:10; Ro 16:25; 1Co 4:5; Ga 1:11; 1Ti 1:11; 2Ti 2:8)17But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God (Mic 3:11; Joh 5:45; Ro 2:23; Ro 9:4)18and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law;19and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, (Job 29:15; Mt 15:14; Mt 23:16; Joh 9:39)20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— (Lu 11:52; Ga 4:19; 2Ti 1:13; 2Ti 3:5)21you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? (Ps 50:16; Mt 15:1; Mt 23:3)22You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? (Mal 3:8; Ac 19:37)23You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. (Mal 1:6; Ro 2:17; Ro 3:27)24For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (2Sa 12:14; Isa 52:5; Eze 36:20; Eze 36:23; 2Pe 2:2)25For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. (Ga 5:3)26So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded[2] as circumcision? (Ro 1:32; Ro 3:30; Ro 8:4; Eph 2:11)27Then he who is physically[3] uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code[4] and circumcision but break the law. (Mt 12:41; Ro 2:29; Ro 7:6; 2Co 3:6)28For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. (Ro 2:17; Ro 9:6; Ga 6:15)29But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. (De 10:16; De 30:6; Jer 4:4; Ac 7:51; 2Co 10:18; Ga 1:10; Php 3:3; Col 2:11; 1Th 2:4; 1Pe 3:4)
Romans 2
New International Version
God’s righteous judgment
1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.2Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.3So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realising that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.6God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’[1] (Ps 62:12; Pr 24:12)7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life.8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;10but glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.11For God does not show favouritism.12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.15They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)16This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
The Jews and the law
17Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;18if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;19if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth –21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?23You who boast in the law, do you dishonour God by breaking the law?24As it is written: ‘God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.’[2] (Isa 52:5; Eze 36:20; Eze 36:22)25Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.26So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?27The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the[3] written code and circumcision, are a law-breaker.28A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.29No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Romans 2
King James Version
1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.2But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.3And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;6Who will render to every man according to his deeds:7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,9Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:11For there is no respect of persons with God.12For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.17Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,18And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;19And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,20An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.21Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?22Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?23Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?24For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.25For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.26Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?27And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?28For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Romans 2
New International Reader’s Version
God judges fairly
1If you judge someone else, you have no excuse for it. When you judge another person, you are judging yourself. You do the same things you blame others for doing.2We know that when God judges those who do evil things, he judges fairly.3Though you are only a human being, you judge others. But you yourself do the same things. So how do you think you will escape when God judges you?4Do you disrespect God’s great kindness and favour? Do you disrespect God when he is patient with you? Don’t you realise that God’s kindness is meant to turn you away from your sins?5But you are stubborn. In your heart you are not sorry for your sins. You are storing up anger against yourself. The day of God’s anger is coming. Then his way of judging fairly will be shown.6God ‘will pay back each person in keeping with what they have done.’ (Ps 62:12; Pr 24:12)7God will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good. They want glory, honour, and life that never ends.8But there are others who only look out for themselves. They don’t accept the truth. They go astray. God will pour out his great anger on them.9There will be trouble and suffering for everyone who does evil. That is meant first for the Jews. It is also meant for the Gentiles.10But there will be glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good. That is meant first for the Jews. It is also meant for the Gentiles.11God treats everyone the same.12Some people do not know God’s law when they sin. They will not be judged by the law when they die. Others do know God’s law when they sin. They will be judged by the law.13Hearing the law does not make a person right with God. People are considered to be right with God only when they obey the law.14Gentiles do not have the law. Sometimes they just naturally do what the law requires. They are a law for themselves. This is true even though they don’t have the law.15They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts. The way their minds judge them proves this fact. Sometimes their thoughts find them guilty. At other times their thoughts find them not guilty.16This will happen on the day God appoints Jesus Christ to judge people’s secret thoughts. That’s part of my good news.
The Jews and the law
17Suppose you call yourself a Jew. You trust in the law. You boast that you know God.18You know what God wants. You agree with what is best because the law teaches you.19You think you know so much more than the people you teach. You think you’re helping blind people. You think you are a light for those in the dark.20You think you can make foolish people wise. You act like you’re teaching little children. You think that the law gives you all knowledge and truth.21You claim to teach others, but you don’t even teach yourself! You preach against stealing. But you steal!22You say that people should not commit adultery. But you commit adultery! You hate statues of gods. But you rob temples!23You boast about the law. But when you break it, you rob God of his honour!24It is written, ‘The Gentiles say evil things against God’s name because of you.’ (Isa 52:5; Eze 36:22)25Circumcision has value if you obey the law. But if you break the law, it is just as if you hadn’t been circumcised.26And sometimes those who aren’t circumcised do what the law requires. Won’t God accept them as if they had been circumcised?27Many are not circumcised physically, but they obey the law. They will prove that you are guilty. You are breaking the law, even though you have the written law and are circumcised.28A person is not a Jew if they are a Jew only on the outside. And circumcision is more than just something done to the outside of a man’s body.29No, a person is a Jew only if they are a Jew on the inside. And true circumcision means that the heart has been circumcised by the Holy Spirit. The person whose heart has been circumcised does more than obey the written law. The praise that matters for that kind of person does not come from other people. It comes from God.