New International Reader's Version NIRV
New International Version NIV
1 Is there any advantage in being a Jew? Is there any value in being circumcised?
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What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?
2 There is great value in every way! First of all, the Jews have been given the very words of God.
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Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3 What if some Jews did not believe? Will the fact that they don't have faith keep God from being faithful?
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What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?
4 Not at all! God is true, even though every human being is a liar. It is written, "You are right when you sentence me. You are fair when you judge me." (Psalm 51:4)
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Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”
5 Doesn't the fact that we are wrong prove more clearly that God is right? Then what can we say? Can we say that God is not fair when he brings his anger down on us? As you can tell, I am just using human ways of thinking.
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But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)
6 God is certainly fair! If he weren't, how could he judge the world?
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Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?
7 Someone might argue, "When I lie, it becomes clearer that God is truthful. It makes his glory shine more brightly. Why then does he find me guilty of sin?"
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Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?”
8 Why not say, "Let's do evil things so that good things will happen"? Some people actually lie by reporting that this is what we say. They are the ones who should be found guilty.
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Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.