Romans 10 | King James Version

King James Version

1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

New International Reader’s Version

1 Brothers and sisters, with all my heart I long for the people of Israel to be saved. I pray to God for them. 2 I can tell you for certain that they really want to serve God. But how they are trying to do it is not based on knowledge. 3 They didn’t know that God’s power makes people right with himself. They tried to get right with God in their own way. They didn’t do it in God’s way. 4 Christ has fulfilled everything the law was meant to do. So now everyone who believes can be right with God. 5 Moses writes about how the law could help a person do what God requires. He writes, ‘The person who does these things will live by them.’ (Le 18:5) 6 But the way to do what God requires must begin by having faith in him. Scripture says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will go up into heaven?” ’ That means to go up into heaven and bring Christ down. (De 30:12) 7 ‘And do not say, “Who will go down into the grave?” ’ That means to bring Christ up from the dead. (De 30:13) 8 But what does it say? ‘The message is near you. It’s in your mouth and in your heart.’ This means the message about faith that we are preaching. (De 30:14) 9 Say with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord.’ Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. Then you will be saved. 10 With your heart you believe and are made right with God. With your mouth you say what you believe. And so you are saved. 11 Scripture says, ‘The one who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ (Isa 28:16) 12 There is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is Lord of all. He richly blesses everyone who calls on him. 13 Scripture says, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ (Joe 2:32) 14 How can they call on him unless they believe in him? How can they believe in him unless they hear about him? How can they hear about him unless someone preaches to them? 15 And how can anyone preach without being sent? It is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ (Isa 52:7) 16 But not all the people of Israel accepted the good news. Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ (Isa 53:1) 17 So faith comes from hearing the message. And the message that is heard is the message about Christ. 18 But I ask, ‘Didn’t the people of Israel hear?’ Of course they did. It is written, ‘Their voice has gone out into the whole earth. Their words have gone out from one end of the world to the other.’ (Ps 19:4) 19 Again I ask, ‘Didn’t Israel understand?’ First, Moses says, ‘I will use people who are not a nation to make you jealous. I will use a nation that has no understanding to make you angry.’ (De 32:21) 20 Then Isaiah boldly speaks about what God says. God said, ‘I was found by those who were not trying to find me. I made myself known to those who were not asking for me.’ (Isa 65:1) 21 But Isaiah also speaks about what God says concerning Israel. God said, ‘All day long I have held out my hands. I have held them out to a stubborn people who do not obey me.’ (Isa 65:2)