1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised in advance through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. 3 This gospel is about his Son—who in the flesh [1] was born a descendant of David, 4 who in the spirit [2] of holiness was declared to be God’s powerful Son by his resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ, our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and the call to be an apostle on behalf of his name, to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, 6 including you, who were called by Jesus Christ.
7 To all those loved by God who are in Rome, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s Desire to Come to Rome
8 First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ concerning all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 To be sure, God, whom I serve with my spirit by proclaiming the gospel of his Son, is my witness to how constantly I make mention of you. In all my prayers, 10 I always ask if perhaps at last a way might be opened, if God wills, for me to come to you. 11 I certainly long to see you, in order that I may deliver some spiritual gift to you, so that you are strengthened— 12 that is, when I am with you, that we will be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, yours and also mine.
13 I do not want you to be unaware of the fact, brothers, [3] that I have often planned to come to you but have been prevented from doing so until now. I wanted to have some fruit among you in the same way as I did among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I have an obligation both to Greeks and non-Greeks, [4] to the wise and to the foolish. 15 That is why I am eager to proclaim the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
The Power of the Gospel
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes—to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed by faith, for faith, [5] just as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.” [6]
Footnotes
Romans 1:3 Here flesh is a reference to Christ’s state of humiliation. See 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 3:18.
Romans 1:4 Here spirit is a reference to Christ’s state of exaltation. See 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 3:18.
Romans 1:13 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.
Romans 1:14 Or barbarians
Romans 1:17 Or from faith to faith, or by faith resulting in faith
1 The words of Lemuel, a king. An oracle [1] that his mother used, to teach him discipline:
2 What are you doing, [2] my son! What are you doing, son from my womb! What are you doing, son of my vows! 3 Do not give your strength to women. Do not give your ways to those who destroy kings. 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to crave beer. 5 If he does, he will drink and forget what is decreed. He will change the legal rights of all the oppressed. 6 Give beer to someone who is perishing and wine to one whose soul is bitter. 7 He will drink and forget his poverty, and he will no longer remember his trouble.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak. Speak for the rights of all those who are defenseless. 9 Speak up, judge fairly, and defend the oppressed and needy.
The Strong Wife [3]
10 Who can find a wife with strong character? [4] Her value is greater than that of gems. 11 Her husband’s heart trusts her, and he never lacks wealth. [5] 12 She does good for him and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She obtains wool and flax. She eagerly works it with her hands. 14 She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away. 15 She rises while it is still night. She gives food [6] to her household. She gives their share to her female servants. 16 She considers a field and acquires it. From her own income, [7] she plants a vineyard. 17 She wraps strength around her waist like a belt, and she makes her arms strong. 18 She realizes that she makes a good profit. Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She stretches out her hands for the distaff, and the palms of her hands grasp the spindle. [8] 20 She opens the palm of her hand to the oppressed, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. 21 She does not fear for her household on account of snow, because her entire household is clothed in scarlet clothing. [9] 22 She makes bedspreads for herself. Fine linen and purple cloth are her clothing. 23 Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits with the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and she delivers belts to the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and kind instruction is on her tongue. 27 She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her household, and she does not eat bread that she did not work for. 28 Her children rise up and bless her. Her husband rises up and praises her: 29 “Many daughters show strong character, but you have surpassed all of them.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is vapor that vanishes, but a woman who fears the Lord should be praised. 31 Give her credit for the fruit of her hands, and let her accomplishments praise her in the city gates.
Footnotes
Proverbs 31:1 The word translated an oracle may also be translated of Massa and placed with the preceding line.
Proverbs 31:2 The Hebrew has only the single word What.
Proverbs 31:10 This closing poem of the book is an alphabetic acrostic, which means successive verses begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This gives an impression of covering every aspect of the topic from A to Z.
Proverbs 31:10 Literally a woman of strength. The Hebrew term for strength may refer to economic power, political power, military power, or strong character. Here the emphasis is on her economic contribution to the family, which is a reflection of her dedication to her family and her community.
Proverbs 31:11 The Hebrew word translated wealth usually refers to loot or spoils of war, not to regular income. Perhaps it highlights her strenuous effort.
Proverbs 31:15 The word translated food usually refers to prey torn by animals, not to food for humans.
Proverbs 31:16 Literally the fruit of her hands
Proverbs 31:19 Distaff and spindle are implements used in spinning thread or yarn.
Proverbs 31:21 Or, with the ancient versions, double clothing
1 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle. [1] This man declares: I am weary, God. I am weary, God, and worn out, [2] 2 because I am too unreasoning to be a man. I do not even possess human understanding. 3 I have not learned wisdom. I do not have knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the palms of his hands? Who has wrapped the water in a garment? Who has set up all the ends of the earth? What is his name and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!
5 Every word of God has been refined. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words. If you do, he will correct you, and you will be shown to be a liar.
7 Two things I have asked from you. Do not keep them from me before I die: 8 Keep worthless speech and lies far from me. Do not give me poverty or riches. Give me food in the amount that is right for me. 9 Too much, and I may feel satisfied and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” Too little, and I may become poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
10 Do not slander a servant to his master. If you do, he will curse you, and you will be found guilty. 11 There is a type of person who curses his father and does not bless his mother. 12 This person is pure in his own eyes, but he is not washed from his filth. 13 This person—how lofty his eyes, how high his eyelids! 14 This person—his teeth are swords, and his fangs are knives. He uses them to devour oppressed people from the earth and poor people from among humanity.
15 The leech has two daughters: Give! Give! Three things are never satisfied. Four never say, “Enough!”: 16 the grave, a closed womb, land that is never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, “Enough!”
17 An eye that mocks its father and despises the obedience due its mother— ravens of the valley will peck it out, and young vultures will eat it.
18 Three things are too wonderful for me, and four I cannot understand: 19 the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a virgin.
20 This is the way of a woman who commits adultery: She eats and wipes her mouth, and she says, “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
21 Three things make the earth tremble. There are four things it cannot endure: 22 a servant when he becomes king, an arrogant fool when he is filled with food, 23 a woman who is hated when she is married, and a slave girl when she replaces her master’s wife.
24 Four things are small on the earth, yet they are wiser than the wisest people: 25 Ants are a species without strength, but they store their food in summer. 26 Rock badgers are a species without power, but they make their home in a cliff. 27 Locusts have no king, but they all march ahead in ranks. 28 Lizards can be caught in your hands, but they live in kings’ palaces.
29 Three things strut impressively. Four walk with dignity: 30 a lion, which is the mightiest among the animals, does not turn away from anything, 31 a strutting rooster, [3] a male goat, and a king reviewing his troops. [4]
32 If you have acted like a fool by exalting yourself, or if you have been scheming, put your hand over your mouth, 33 because just as pressing milk produces cheese, [5] and pressing a nose brings forth blood, so pressing one’s anger produces a fight.
Footnotes
Proverbs 30:1 Or of Massa
Proverbs 30:1 The main Hebrew text seems to read the words translated I am weary and worn out as proper names, to Ithiel and Ucal.
Proverbs 30:31 The meaning of the Hebrew phrase girt of loins is uncertain. It may refer to a strutting animal, such as a rooster, or to a dandy, decked out in fine clothes.
Proverbs 30:31 The meaning of the last phrase is uncertain.
