1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in afflictions, knowing that affliction produces perseverance, 4 and perseverance proven character, and proven character hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely would anyone die for a righteous person, though perhaps someone might even dare to die for a good person. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more, then, having now been justified by his blood, we will be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, having been reconciled, we will be saved by his life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all people because all sinned— 13 for sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not counted when there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a pattern of the one who was to come.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the trespass of the one, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16 And the gift is not like what came through the one who sinned. For the judgment followed one trespass and led to condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and led to justification. 17 For if death reigned through the one by that one’s trespass, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.

18 So then, just as one trespass led to condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act led to justification bringing life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace abounded even more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.