1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle^(A) and set apart^(B) for the gospel of God^(C)— ² the gospel he promised beforehand^(D) through his prophets^(E) in the Holy Scriptures^{(F) 3} regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life^[a](G) was a descendant of David,^{(H) 4} and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power^[b](I) by his resurrection from the dead:^(J) Jesus Christ our Lord.^{(K) 5} Through him we received grace^(L) and apostleship to call all the Gentiles^(M) to the obedience that comes from^[c] faith^(N) for his name’s sake. ⁶ And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.^(O)

⁷ To all in Rome who are loved by God^(P) and called to be his holy people:^(Q)

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.^(R)

Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you,^(A) because your faith is being reported all over the world.^{(B) 9} God, whom I serve^(C) in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness^(D) how constantly I remember you ¹⁰ in my prayers at all times;^(E) and I pray that now at last by God’s will^(F) the way may be opened for me to come to you.^(G)

¹⁴ There we found some brothers and sisters^(A) who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. ¹⁵ The brothers and sisters^(B) there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. ¹⁶ When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.^(C)

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

¹⁷ Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.^(D) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,^(E) although I have done nothing against our people^(F) or against the customs of our ancestors,^(G) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. ¹⁸ They examined me^(H) and wanted to release me,^(I) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.^{(J) 19} The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.^(K) I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. ²⁰ For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel^(L) that I am bound with this chain.”^(M)

³⁰ For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. ³¹ He proclaimed the kingdom of God^(A) and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness^(B) and without hindrance!

¹¹ I long to see you^(A) so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift^(B) to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware,^(C) brothers and sisters,^[a](D) that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now)^(E) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

¹⁴ I am obligated^(F) both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.^(G)

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel,^(A) because it is the power of God^(B) that brings salvation to everyone who believes:^(C) first to the Jew,^(D) then to the Gentile.^{(E) 17} For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed^(F)—a righteousness that is by faith^(G) from first to last,^[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”^[b](H)