We've looked at many of the issues involved in evaluating a translation. Now it's time to bring it all together by looking at a well-known passage and comparing how different versions handle it. I've selected the last portion of Romans 8 because most of the questions we've asked are relevant to these verses. Probably the simplest approach here is to look at one version at a time and evaluate it verse by verse. You'll be doing the work here, but I've put the more interesting renderings in boldface for easier comparison.
Nearly all the versions in common use today are either revisions or else have been revised since their original release. For that reason, I have included many original, lesser known translations in this study for better comparison. These versions may be the best ones to practice on, since their unique readings will stand out. You might even want to consider hunting down one of these to own, perhaps as your preferred Bible version.
A common mistake in assessing translations is to hold one English version up as the "standard" and compare the others to it. The Bible's inspiration relates to its original composition–in this case, by the apostle Paul around A.D. 56. Any translation or paraphrase in any language stands or falls by its faithfulness to that inspired text. When we make the Greek the standard, we find that no English translation is perfect, but that most translations are at least adequate. It probably wouldn't be very helpful to duplicate the Greek text here, but I'll make some comments on differences between one Greek text base and another.
If the Greek is to be the standard, the question naturally arises: which Greek text? As explained in the analysis, no two manuscripts are exactly alike. In these fourteen verses, there are twenty points of variation cited by the Nestle/Aland text. Very few of these make a significant difference in translation. For example, two variations are simply a difference of word order. One has to do with the placement of an accent. Four are the presence or absence of an article or minor conjunction. Three are changes from singular to plural or vice-versa. Three are obvious sight errors made by just one or two scribes. Of the remaining eight variations, only three reflect a difference betwen the Byzantine Greek text used by the King James Version and the Alexandrian texts preferred by most of today's believers.
Two of the key differences are in verse 26. The oldest manuscripts, the Latin, and the later Alexandrian witnesses use the singular form of the word for weakness or infirmity. In the Syriac and most Byzantine manuscripts, the word is plural. Later in the verse, Alexandrian texts say the Spirit intercedes, whereas the Byzantine, Latin, and Syriac witnesses say He intercedes for us. The two added words are the same as the closing words of verse 34, in which Jesus intercedes for us.
In most witnesses, both Alexandrian and Byzantine, verse 28 says that all things work together for good. However, Papyrus 46, the oldest copy of Paul's letters, along with two of the three best Alexandrian manuscripts, adds the word theos (God) to read, God works all things together for good. Prior to its 26th edition, the Nestle/Aland Greek text used by most translators held to the reading with God as the subject, but they have since changed their mind and are now in agreement with the underlying text of the King James Version by omitting the divine name here. (The reasoning is that if God were original, it is unlikely that almost every witness would have removed it; divine names tend to accumulate rather than dwindle as time goes by.)
There are a couple other very minor variations that don't come across in any translation. But the New Testament text is solid, and the differences that do exist have little effect on the meaning, and it is usually easy to determine which reading is original. Once they work through these fairly simple textual issues presented here, translators of Romans 8:26-39 can be confident that the Greek text they have before them matches what was originally inspired.
The spelling here has been updated from the 1534 edition of Tyndale's work; otherwise it would look more like the Geneva Bible. Readers of the King James Version will find much of this language familiar, because the KJV is the great-great-grandson of the Tyndale version. (The New Testament was not divided into verses in Tyndale's day; verse numbers are given to help comparison with other translations.)
26 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities. For we know not what to desire as we ought: but the spirit maketh intercession mightily for us with groanings which cannot be expressed with tongue.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the meaning of the spirit: for he maketh intercession for the saints according to the pleasure of God.
28 For we know that all things work for the best unto them that love God, which also are called of purpose.
29 For those which he knew before, he also ordained before, that they should be like fashioned unto the shape of his son, that he might be the first begotten son among many brethren.
30 Moreover which he appointed before, them he also called. And which he called, them also he justified, which he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say unto these things? If God be on our side: who can be against us?
32 which spared not his own son, but gave him for us all: how shall he not with him give us all things also?
33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's chosen? It is God that justifieth:
34 who then shall condemn? it is Christ which is dead, yea rather which is risen again, which is also on the right hand of God, and maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of God? shall tribulation? or anguish? or persecution? or hunger? or nakedness? or peril? or sword?
36 As it is written: For thy sake are we killed all day long, and are counted as sheep appointed to be slain.
37 Nevertheless in all these things we overcome strongly through his help that loved us.
38 Yea and I am sure that neither death, neither life, neither angels, nor rule, neither power, neither things present, neither things to come,
39 neither height, neither lowth, neither any other creature shall be able to depart us from the love of God, showed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Geneva Bible draws heavily from Tyndale's work but is largely its own work. Original spelling is retained here. (The ƒ symbols represent an older form of the letter s.)
26 Likewiƒe the Spirit alƒo helpeth our infirmities: for we knowe not what to praie as wee oght: but the Spirit it ƒelf maketh request for vs with ƒighs, which can not be expreƒƒed.
27 But he that ƒearcheth ý hearts, knoweth what is the meaning of the Spirit: for he maketh requeƒt for the Sainctes, according to the wil of God.
28 Alƒo we knowe that all things worke together for the beƒt vnto them that loue God, euen to them that are called of his purpoƒe.
29 For thoƒe which he knewe before, he alƒo predeƒtinate to be made like to the image of his Sonne, that he might be the firƒt borne among manie brethren.
30 Moreouer whome he predeƒtinate, them alƒo he called, and whome he called, them alƒo he iuƒtified, and whome he iuƒtified, them he alƒo glorified.
31 What ƒhal we then ƒay to theƒe things? If God be on our ƒide, who cá be agaíƒt vs?
32 Who ƒpared not his owne Sonne, but gaue him for vs all to death, how shall he not with him giue vs all things alƒo?
33 Who ƒhal lay anie thing to the charge of Gods choƒen? it is God that iuƒtifieth,
34 Who ƒhal condemne? it is Chriƒt, which is dead, yea or rather, which is riƒen againe, who is alƒo at the right hand of God, and maketh requeƒt alƒo for vs.
35 Who ƒhal ƒeparate vs from the loue of Chriƒt? ƒhal tribulacion or anguiƒh, or perƒecucion, or famine, or nakednes, or peril, or ƒworde?
36 As it is writté, For thy ƒake are we killed all day long: we are counted as ƒhepe for the ƒlaughter.
37 Neuertheles, in all theƒe things we are more then conquerers through him that loued vs.
38 For I am perƒuaded that nether death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things preƒent, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor anie other creature ƒhal be able to ƒeparate vs from the loue of God, which is in Chriƒt Ieƒus our Lord.
From Tyndale's and Coverdale's Bibles came the Great Bible, the first authorized (legal) version in England. This went through several versions before it became the Bishop's Bible. Many reformers rejected the Bishop's Bible in favor of the Geneva Bible and its Puritan interpretive notes. King James gathered loyalist clergy and Puritan scholars for a cooperative effort to revise the Bishop's Bible. Drawing insight from the Geneva and Rheims Bibles, several different Hebrew and Greek sources, and various Catholic and Jewish scholars, they produced what would eventually become the most common English translation. The text on the left reflects the 1611 edition of the King James, and the text on the right is from the 1769 update more common today.
| KJV (1611) | KJV (1769) |
|---|---|
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26 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what wee should pray for as wee ought: but the spirit it selfe maketh intercession for vs with groanings, which cannot bee vttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the minde of the spirit, because he maketh intercession for the Saints, according to the will of God. 28 And wee know that all things worke together for good, to them that loue God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his sonne, that hee might bee the first borne amongst many brethren. 30 Moreouer, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also iustified: and whom he iustified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall wee then say to these things? If God be for vs, who can bee against vs? 32 He that spared not his owne son, but deliuered him vp for vs all: how shall hee not with him also freely giue vs all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? It is God that iustifieth: 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen againe, who is euen at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for vs. 35 Who shall separate vs from the loue of Christ? shall tribulation, or distresse, or persecution, or famine, or nakednesse, or perill, or sword? 36 (As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long, wee are accounted as sheepe for the slaughter.) 37 Nay in all these things wee are more then conquerors, through him that loued vs. 38 For I am perswaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shalbe able to separate vs from the loue of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. |
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaugther. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
Aside from extensive spelling updates, substantive differences between King James editions were limited to about one change for every eight verses. The church did not order a thorough revision until the 1880s, when advancements in textual scholarship made it necessary. The translation is slightly more literal than the KJV, but is still fairly close to its parent version.
26 And in like manner the Spirit also helpth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;
27 and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren;
30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth;
34 who is he that shall condemn? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The New Testament portion of Young's work was completed in 1862, long before the Revised Version. Intended as a scholarly tool, it survives today in many Bible software packages. It is one of the earliest versions to capitalize pronouns referring to God (though somewhat inconsistently; see v. 37).
26 And, in like manner also, the Spirit doth help our weaknesses; for, what we may pray for, as it behoveth [us], we have not known, but the Spirit himself doth make intercession for us with groanings unutterable,
27 and He who is searching the hearts hath known what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because according to God he doth intercede for saints.
28 And we have known that to those loving God all things do work together for good, to those who are called according to purpose;
29 because whom He did foreknow, He also did fore-appoint, conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be first-born among many brethren;
30 and whom He did fore-appoint, these also He did call; and whom He did call, these also He declared righteous; and whom He declared righteous, these also He did glorify.
31 What, then, shall we say unto these things? if God [is] for us, who [is] against us?
32 He who indeed His own Son did not spare, but for us all did deliver him up, how shall He not also with him the all things grant to us?
33 Who shall lay a charge against the choice ones of God? God [is] He that is declaring righteous,
34 who [is] he that is condemning? Christ [is] He that died, yea, rather also, was raised up; who is also on the right hand of God–who also doth intercede for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of the Christ? tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 (according as it hath been written–'For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long, we were reckoned as sheep of slaughter,')
37 but in all these we more than conquer, through him who loved us;
38 for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor messengers, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things about to be,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, that [is] in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John Nelson Darby, often considered the founder of Fundamentalism in the US, finished his New Testament in 1871 and the entire Bible in 1890. Heavily influenced by the King James, but with a style that is more cumbersome and less literary.
26 And in like manner the Spirit joins also its help to our weakness; for we do not know what we should pray for as is fitting, but the Spirit itself makes intercession with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 But he who searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for saints according to God.
28 But we do know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose.
29 Because whom he has foreknown, he has also predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 But whom he has predestinated, these also he has called; and whom he has called, these also he has justified; but whom he has justified, these also he has glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who is against us?
32 He who, yea, has not spared his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not also with him grant us all things?
33 Who shall bring an accusation against God's elect? It is God who justifies:
34 who is he that condemns? It is Christ who has died, but rather has been also raised up; who is also at the right hand of God; who also intercedes for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 According as it is written, For thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we have been reckoned as sheep for slaughter.
37 But in all these things we more than conquer through him that has loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Revised Version was deemed too British for American English, and so the ASV was the revision for our side of the Atlantic. More literal than the RV and not very easy to read, it was only barely accessible to the common Christian but became popular among both conservative and liberal scholars.
26 And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;
27 and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:
30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth;
34 who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Weymouth's unsuccessful attempt to produce a totally objective translation followed closely on the heels of the ASV. Despite some idiosyncratic doctrinal biases (none of which occur here), it is an enlightening read. It is one of the first versions to use a moderately loose and interpretive translation style.
26 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we do not know what prayers to offer nor in what way to offer them. But the Spirit Himself pleads for us in yearnings that can find no words,
27 and the Searcher of hearts knows what the Spirit's meaning is, because His intercessions for God's people are in harmony with God's will.
28 Now we know that for those who love God all things are working together for good–for those, I mean, whom with deliberate purpose He has called.
29 For those whom He has known beforehand He has also pre-destined to bear the likeness of His Son, that He might be the Eldest in a vast family of brothers;
30 and those whom He has pre-destined He also has called; and those whom He has called He has also declared free from guilt; and those whom He has declared free from guilt He has also crowned with glory.
31 What then shall we say to this? If God is on our side, who is there to appear against us?
32 He who did not withhold even His own Son, but gave Him up for all of us, will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
33 Who shall impeach those whom God has chosen? God declares them free from guilt.
34 Who is there to condemn them? Christ Jesus died, or rather has risen to life again. He is also at the right hand of God, and is interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from Christ's love? Shall affliction or distress, persecution or hunger, nakedness or danger or the sword?
36 As it stands written in the Scripture, "FOR THY SAKE THEY ARE, ALL DAY LONG, TRYING TO KILL US. WE HAVE BEEN LOOKED UPON AS SHEEP DESTINED FOR SLAUGHTER."
37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who has loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither the lower ranks of evil angels nor the higher, neither things present nor things future, nor the forces of nature,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which rests upon us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Highly interpretive and filled with footnotes in untranslated Greek and Latin, Moffatt's version was loved by liberal scholars but is otherwise rather obscure. This Scottish translator has more than his share of unique and interesting renderings.
26 So too the Spirit assists us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray aright, but the Spirit pleads for us with sighs that are beyond words,
27 and He who searches the human heart knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, since the Spirit pleads before God for the saints.
28 We know also that those who love God, those who have been called in terms of his purpose, have his aid and interest in everything.
29 For he decreed of old that those whom he predestined should share the likeness of his Son–that he might be the firstborn of a great brotherhood.
30 Then he calls those whom he has thus decreed; then he justifies those whom he has called; them he glorifies those whom he has justified.
31 Now what follows from all this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 The God who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, surely He will give us everything besides!
33 Who will accuse the elect of God? When God acquits,
34 who will condemn? Will Christ?–the Christ who died, yes, and rose from the dead! the Christ who is at God's right hand, who actually pleads for us!
35 What can ever part us from Christ's love? Can anguish or calamity or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger of the sword?
36 (Because, as it is written, For thy sake we are being killed all the day long, we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.)
37 No, in all this we are more than conquerors throiugh him who loved us.
38 For I am certain neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, no powers of
39 the Height or of the Depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to part us from God's love in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In 1924, Helen Barrett Montgomery's translation celebrated the hundredth anniversary of the American Bible Society. It was one of the first English translations produced by a woman.
26 In the same way the Spirit also takes hold with us in our weakness, for we know not how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And the Searcher of Hearts knows what the Spirit's meaning is, because his intercessions for the saints are according to the will of God.
28 Now we know that all things continually work together for good to those who love God, to those who have been the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, so that he might be the eldest of a great brotherhood;
30 and whom he foreordained, those he also called; and whom he called, those he also justified; and whom he justified, those he also glorified.
31 What shall we say then, to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but freely delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall accuse God's elect? God acquits them;
34 Who is there to condemn them? Will Christ who died? Yes, and who rose from the dead, the Christ who is also at the right hand of God, and is interceding for us?
35 What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall anguish, or calamity, or persecution, or famine? Shall nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Even as it is written: For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am fully persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, nor powers, neither the present world nor the world to come, nor the powers of Nature,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
William provides a good example of early loose translation and brings a fair amount of creativity to his work. Most notable are his elimination of doctrinal terms and his use of the continuous present tense.
26 In the same way the Spirit, too, is helping us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself pleads for us with unspeakable yearnings,
27 and He who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit thinks, for He pleads for His people in accordance with God's will.
28 Yes, we know that all things go on working together for the good of those who keep on loving God, who are called in accordance with God's purpose.
29 For those on whom He set His heart beforehand He marked off as His own to be made like His Son, that He might be the eldest of many brothers;
30 and those whom He marked off as His own He also calls; and those whom He calls He brings into right standing with Himself; those whom He brings into right standing with Himself He also glorifies.
31 What are we then to say to facts like these? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 Since He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not with Him graciously give us everything else?
33 Who can bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who declared them in right standing;
34 who can condemn them? Christ Jesus who died, or rather, who was raised from the dead, is now at God's right hand, and is actually pleading for us.
35 Who can separate us from Christ's love? Can suffering or misfortune or persecution or hunger or destitution or danger or the sword?
36 As the Scripture says: "For your sake we are being put to death the livelong day; we are treated like sheep to be slaughtered."
37 And yet in all these things we keep on gloriously conquering through Him who loved us.
38 For I have full assurance that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor the present nor the future nor evil forces
39 above or beneath, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God as shown in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This post-WWII paraphrase is still very popular in some circles. Its occasional formalities and Britishisms make it highly quotable but slightly harder to understand than other paraphrases and loose translations.
26 The Spirit of God not only maintains this hope within us, but helps us in our present limitations. For example, we do not know how to pray worthily as sons of God, but his Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those agonising longings which never find words.
27 And God who knows the heart's secrets understands, of course, the Spirit's intention as he prays for those who love God.
28 Moreover we know that to those who love God, who are called according to his plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good.
29 God, in his foreknowledge, chose them to bear the family likeness of his Son, that he might be the eldest of a family of many brothers.
30 He chose them long ago; when the time came he called them, he made them righteous in his sight, and then lifted them to the splendour of life as his own sons.
31 In face of all this, what is there left to say? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not grudge his own Son but gave him up for us all–can we not trust such a God to give us, with him, everything else that we can need?
33 Who would dare to accuse us, whom God has chosen? The judge himself has declared us free from sin.
34 Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us!
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, pain or persecution? Can lack of clothes and food, danger to life and limb, the threat of force of arms?
36 Indeed some of us know the truth of that ancient text: For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 No, in all these things we win an overwhelming victory through him who has proved his love for us.
38 I have become absolutely convinced that neither death nor life, neither messenger of Heaven nor monarch of earth, neither what happens today nor what may happen tomorrow, neither a power
39 from on high nor a power from below, nor anything else in God's whole world has any power to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!
With its literal translation style and its contemporary language and textual choices, the NWT has good renderings of many verses. However, its obvious biases, to the point of deliberate mistranslation, make the work as a whole misleading. The passage here is relatively free from deceptive readings, with the exception of the impersonal rendering of spirit in verses 26-27 (where the Spirit is at His most personal).
26 In like manner the spirit also joins in with help for our weakness; for the problem of what we should pray for as we need to we do not know, but the spirit itself pleads for us with groanings unuttered.
27 Yet he who searches the hearts knows what the meaning of the spirit is, because it is pleading in accord with God for holy ones.
28 Now we know that God makes all his works co-operate together for the good of those who love God, those who are the ones called according to his purpose;
29 because those whom he gave his first recognition he also foreordained to be patterned after the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brothers.
30 Moreover, those whom he foreordained are the ones he also called; and those whom he called are the ones he also declared to be righteous. Finally those whom he declared righteous are the ones he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who will be against us?
32 He who did not even spare his own Son but delivered him up for us all, why will he not give us all other things?
33 Who will file accusation against God's chosen ones? God is the One who declares [them] righteous.
34 Who is he that will condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died, yes, rather the one who was raised up from the dead, who is on the right hand of God, who also pleads for us.
35 Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 Just as it is written: "For your sake we are being put to death all day long, we have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering."
37 To the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through him that loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers
39 nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God's love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The goal of the Amplified Bible was to draw out the full meaning of the original languages that usually does not carry over in translation. In reality, we have alternate translations placed together, along with a large amount of interpretation. In a way, it is as if the translators' footnotes were incorporated into the text itself. The uniqueness of this version is such that boldface for significant renderings is unnecessary.
26 So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.
27 And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will.
28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.
30 And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].
31 What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]
32 He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?]
34 Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?
35 Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?
36 Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surprising victory through Him Who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers.
39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This Catholic version is much more paraphrased than the New American Bible with which younger Catholics may be more familiar.
26 The Spirit too comes to help us in our weakness. For when we cannot choose words in order to pray properly, the Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words,
27 and God who knows everything in our hearts knows perfectly well what he means, and that the pleas of the saints expressed by the Spirit are according to the mind of God.
28 We know that by turning everything to their good God co-operates with all those who love him, with all those that he has called according to his purpose.
29 They are the ones he chose specially long ago and intended to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers.
30 He called those he intended for this; those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory,
31 After saying this, what can we add? With God on our side who can be against us?
32 Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give.
33 Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits,
34 could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus? No! He not only died for us–he rose from the dead, and there at God's right hand he stands and pleads for us.
35 Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked.
36 As scripture promised: For your sake we are being massacred daily, and reckoned as sheep for the slaughter.
37 These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.
38 For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power,
39 or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This update of the Berkeley Version is perhaps the most prominent early committee-produced version in America to employ a slightly looser translation style than the then-existing versions. The strategy makes for an easier read but is a bit simplified and interpretive.
26 In a similar way the Spirit joins in to help us in our weakness; for we do not know what and how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes on our behalf with sighs too deep for words.
27 And the Searcher of hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind, for He pleads with God on behalf of the saints.
28 But we know that for those who love Him, for those called in agreement with His purpose, God makes all things work together for good.
29 Because those whom He knew beforehand He appointed beforehand to share the likeness of His Son, so that He might be the First-born among many brothers.
30 But whom He predestined, those He also called; and whom He called, those He also made righteous; and whom He made righteous, those He also glorified.
31 Then what conclusion do we draw? If God is for us, then who is against us?
32 He who did not even spare His own Son but gave Him up on behalf of us all, will He not also favor us with everything along with Him?
33 Who will enter a charge against God's chosen? God is the Acquitter;
34 who is the condemner? Christ Jesus is He who died; what is more, who rose again, who is at God's right hand, who also pleads on our behalf.
35 Who will separate us from Christ's love? Affliction? Or distress? Or persecution? Or famine? Or destitution? Or danger? Or sword?
36 Just as it is written, "On Your account we are being killed all day long; we are considered sheep for slaughter."
37 But in all this we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor authorities, neither present nor future affairs,
39 neither powers of the heights nor of the depths, nor anything else created will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
As the liberalized revision of the ASV, the RSV was the preferred translation in mainline Protestant and less conservative Catholic churches until it was updated as the NRSV in 1989. It is somewhat less literal and more fluid than its conservative cousin, the NASB. (The text here comes from the 1970 edition of the RSV.)
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
27 And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies;
34 who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us?
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any thing else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Kenneth Taylor got the idea for Living Letters, paraphrases of Paul's epistles, as he read the Bible to his children. This work, based on the ASV rather than on the original languages, was a favorite of conservative Christians, particularly Baptist fundamentalists and Arminians who liked its anti-Calvinistic renderings. However, there was much criticism when the completed product was marketed as a "Bible." But despite the controversy, the Living Bible was incredibly popular in the 1970s, outselling even the KJV on college campuses as young people were drawn to its fresh style. The paraphrase of verses 38-39 in this chapter are one of the Living Bible's most memorable renderings.
26 And in the same way–by our faith–the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how to pray as we should; but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words.
27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God's own will.
28 And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.
29 For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him–and all along he knew who would–should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers.
30 And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us "not guilty," filled us with Christ's goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory.
31 What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us?
32 Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won't he also surely give us everything else?
33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! He is the one who has forgiven us and given us right standing with himself.
34 Who then will condemn us? Will Christ? No! For he is the one who died for us and came back to life again for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us there in heaven.
35 Who then can ever keep Christ's love from us? When we have trouble or calamity, when we are hunted down or destroyed, is it because he doesn't love us anymore? And if we are hungry, or penniless, or in danger, or threatened with death, has God deserted us?
36 No, for the Scriptures tell us that for his sake we must be ready to face death at every moment of the day–we are like sheep awaiting slaughter;
37 but despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us.
38 For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels won't, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow,
39 or where we are–high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean–nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us.
The Church of England's plans to revise the RV were set aside in favor of a fresh translation. Unfortunately the end product was a little too "fresh." Some word choices and textual decisions were deemed too daring or unlikely, and regionalisms were obstacles to its use in the more distant parts of the Commonwealth. The liberal biases in the NEB were even more pervasive than in the RSV. Despite the "novelty for novelty's sake," this passage is one of the translation's standouts and is almost charming in its style.
26 In the same way the Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness. We do not even know how we ought to pray, but through our inarticulate groans the Spirit himself is pleading for us,
27 and God who searches our inmost being knows what the Spirit means, because he pleads for God's people in God's own way;
28 and in everything, as we know, he co-operates for good with those who love God and are called according to his purpose.
29 For God knew His own before ever they were, and also ordained that they should be shaped to the likeness of his Son, so that he might be the eldest among a large family of brothers;
30 and it is these, so foreordained, whom he has also called. And those whom he called he has justified, and those whom he justified he has also given his splendour.
31 With all this in mind, what are we to say? If God is on our side, who is against us?
32 He did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all; and with this gift how can he fail to lavish upon us all he has to give?
33 Who will be the accuser of God's chosen ones? It is God who pronounces acquittal;
34 then who can condemn? It is Christ–Christ who died, and, more than that, was raised from the dead–who is at God's right hand, and indeed pleads our cause.
35 Then what can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or hardship? Can persecution, hunger, nakedness, peril, or the sword?
36 'We are being done to death for thy sake all day long,' as Scripture says, 'we have been treated like sheep for slaughter'–
37 and yet, in spite of all, overwhelming victory is ours through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that there is nothing in death or life, in the realm of spirits or superhuman powers, in the world as it is or the world as it shall be, in the forces of the universe,
39 in heights or depths–nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Memorable for its lofty title more than for its rather mundane readings, this version is primarily an effort to revise the King James in the interest of greater literality and contemporary language. Estes is one of many Byzantine-text advocates who attempted such a revision prior to the release of the New King James Version.
26 And, in like manner, also, the Spirit helps our weakness; for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself intercedes with unspoken groans.
27 Because he who searches the hearts knows the desires of the heart and spirit, for, according to God, he intercedes on behalf of his saints.
28 Besides, we know that all things work together for good to those who love God; to those who are called according to his purpose.
29 Because those whom he foreknew, he also predetermined to be copies of the likeness of his Son; for him to be a first-born among many brethren.
30 And those whom he before marked out, them he also called; And whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we say, then, to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 Surely he who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how will he not also by him graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring an accusation against God's chosen ones? Will that God who justifies?
34 Who is he who condemns? Will Christ, who died? And, still more, who has been raised? And also who is at the right hand of God, and intercedes for us?
35 Who can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus? Can affliction, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 (Even as it has been written: For your sake we are killed all the day; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter).
37 But in all these things we do more than conquer, through him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life; neither angels nor principalities; neither things present nor things to come; nor powers,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other thing in creation, will be able to separate us from that love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
For conservative Protestants who desired a literal but contemporary translation, the NASB provided the first truly good alternative to the RSV. Its readings have been described as wooden, since the translators strove to stay literal as long as English grammar was maintained, even at the expense of smooth style. Nevertheless, its clarity and ease of reading are far superior to the ASV from which it was revised. (The text given here is from the 1977 edition.)
26 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He might be the first-born among many brethren;
30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;
34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Just as it is written, "FOR THY SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In terms of its popularity, the NKJV may be considered the first acceptable, direct revision of the King James Version into 20th-century English. Produced in 1982, this revision was more extensive than the RV a century earlier, extending beyond updating the language to include advances in knowledge of Hebrew and Greek (particularly that derived from the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls). The NKJV differs from other KJV-family revisions in that it went by Stephanus' 1550 edition of the Textus Receptus, which was one of the sources consulted by translators of the original KJV.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The New York Bible Society (now the International Bible Society) produced the NIV in an effort to create a fresh translation–not a revision of a previous version–that was equally understandable to English speakers across the world. (Previous attempts had been distinctly American or British.) Published primarily by Zondervan, it was quickly embraced by conservative Christians and since the mid-1980s has been the best selling English Bible in the world. It is a loose, interpretive translation, but not as free as the Good News and other near-paraphrased versions.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Jerusalem Bible showed a great deal of influence from the Latin Vulgate and was too paraphrased for many Catholics to accept. The NJB is thus more literal and is a truer translation directly from the Hebrew and Greek in which the Bible was written. It is still more fluid than the New American Bible and so appeals to Catholics the same way the NIV appeals to evangelicals.
26 And as well as this, the Spirit too comes to help us in our weakness, for, when we do not know how to pray properly, then the Spirit personally makes our petitions for us in groans that cannot be put into words;
27 and he who can see into all hearts knows what the Spirit means because the prayers that the Spirit makes for God's holy people are always in accordance with the mind of God.
28 We are well aware that God works with those who love him, those who have been called in accordance with his purpose, and turns everything to their good.
29 He decided beforehand who were the ones destined to be moulded to the pattern of his Son, so that he should be the eldest of many brothers;
30 it was those so destined that he called; those that he called, he justified, and those that he has justified he has brought into glory.
31 After saying this, what can we add? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 Since he did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for the sake of all of us, then can we not expect that with him he will freely give us all his gifts?
33 Who can bring any accusation against those that God has chosen? When God grants saving justice
34 who can condemn? Are we not sure that it is Christ Jesus, who died–yes and more, who was raised from the dead and is at God's right hand–and who is adding his plea for us?
35 Can anything cut us off from the love of Christ–can hardships or distress, or persecution, or lack of food and clothing, or threats or violence;
36 as scripture says: For your sake we are being massacred all day long, treated as sheep to be slaughtered?
37 No; we come through all these things triupmhantly victorious, by the power of him who loved us.
38 For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nothing already in existence and nothing still to come, nor any power,
39 nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between us and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
A Catholic version often confused with the similarly named NASB, this translation shares with the NASB its commitment to literal translation of the earliest and best manuscripts into contemporary English. The NAB has more liberal than Catholic bias in its translation, but the translator's notes are filled with both.
26 In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
27 And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will.
28 We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
33 Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who acquits us.
34 Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.
35 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?
36 As it is written: "For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This revision of the RSV made three major changes. First, it contemporized the archaic language that had marked prayers and psalms in the older version. Second, NIV-style translation loosened up some of the more literal renderings. Third, this would be the first major "gender-neutral" version. (See the analysis for an overview of the issue.) All these changes were welcomed by the majority of the RSV's ecumenical Catholic and Protestant users. The Eastern Orthodox churches, however, rejected the NRSV.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?
33 Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, not powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
As American translators were producing the NRSV, those in Britain were revising their own New English Bible. The REB contemporized the NEB's language but made it a bit more literal, and corrected some unfortunate textual decisions. The REB translators also experimented with gender-neutral language, but were very restrained in doing so.
26 In the same way the Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness. We do not even know how we ought to pray, but through our inarticulate groans the Spirit himself is pleading for us,
27 and God who searches our inmost being knows what the Spirit means, because he pleads for God's people as God himself wills;
28 and in everything, as we know, he co-operates for good with those who love God and are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom God knew before ever they were, he also ordained to share the likeness of his Son, so that he might be the eldest among a large family of brothers;
30 and those whom he foreordained, he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 With all this in mind, what are we to say? If God is on our side, who is against us?
32 He did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all; how can he fail to lavish every other gift upon us?
33 Who will bring a charge against those whom God has chosen? Not God, who acquits!
34 Who will pronounce judgement? Not Christ, who died, or rather rose again; not Christ, who is at God's right hand and pleads our cause!
35 Then what can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or hardship? Can persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or sword?
36 'We are being done to death for your sake all day long,' as scripture says, 'we have been treated like sheep for slaughter'–
37 and yet, throughout it all, overwhelming victory is ours through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that there is nothing in death or life, in the realm of spirits or superhuman powers, in the world as it is or the world as it shall be, in the forces of the universe,
39 in heights or depths–nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Translated to be read aloud, the CEV is the most paraphrased version not to be generally classified as a paraphrase. It helped set the tone for translations of the 1990s as "dynamic equivalence" and avoiding doctrinal terms became all the rage among new Bible versions. Fully gender-neutral and with a highly visible liberal bias, the CEV became more popular among mainline churches than among evangelicals, but the textbook-style CEV Learning Bible is used by many private schools.
26 In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.
27 All of our thoughts are known to God. He can understand what is in the mind of the Spirit, as the Spirit prays for God's people.
28 We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose,
29 and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so that his Son would be the first of many children.
30 God then accepted the people he had already decided to choose, and he has shared his glory with them.
31 What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?
32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won't he freely give us everything else?
33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them?
34 Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God's right side, speaking to him for us.
35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?
36 It is exactly as the Scriptures say, "For you we face death all day long. We are like sheep on their way to the butcher."
37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.
38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love–not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers
39 above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!
The International Children's Bible of the mid-1980s worked with very short sentences and a heavily simplified vocabulary. Revised slightly to become the NCV, it soon became popular among adults as well. As the first fairly conservative, partially gender-neutral Bible, there was surprisingly little controversy at the time of its publication. Notice how in this passage, most of the questions become statements, and the questions that remain are answered.
26 Also, the Spirit helps us. We are very weak, but the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us. The Spirit speaks to God with deep feelings that words cannot explain.
27 God can see what is in people's hearts. And he knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way that God wants.
28 We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people God called, because that was his plan.
29 God knew them before he made the world. And God decided that they would be like his Son. Then Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers.
30 God planned for them to be like his Son. And those he planned to be like his Son, he also called. And those he called, he also made right with him. And those he made right, he also glorified.
31 So what should we say about this? If God is with us, then no one can defeat us.
32 God let even his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for us all. So with Jesus, God will surely give us all things.
33 Who can accuse the people that God has chosen? No one! God is the One who makes them right.
34 Who can say that God's people are guilty? No one! Christ Jesus died, but that is not all. He was also raised from death. And now he is on God's right side and is begging God for us.
35 Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can troubles or problems or sufferings? If we have no food or clothes, if we are in danger, or even if death comes–can any of these things separate us from Christ's love?
36 As it is written in the Scriptures: "For you we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed."
37 But in all these things we have full victory through God who showed his love for us.
38 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from the love God has for us. Not death, not life, not angels, not ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers,
39 nothing above us, nothing below us, or anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
First produced in the 1960s and 1970s as Today's English Version, the GNT became gender-neutral in 1992. The TEV had been a forerunner of the major loose translations, and in its revision it kept in step with the times. Language that was trendy in mid-century had to be updated, suggesting that the more "contemporary" a translation is, the sooner it needs to be revised.
26 In the same way the Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express.
27 And God, who sees into our hearts, knows what the thought of the Spirit is; because the Spirit pleads with God on behalf of his people and in accordance with his will.
28 We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.
29 Those whom God had already chosen he also set apart to become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many believers.
30 And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them.
31 In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 Certainly not God, who did not even keep back his own Son, but offered him for us all! He gave us his Son–will he not also freely give us all things?
33 Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty!
34 Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us!
35 Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death?
36 As the scripture says, "For your sake we are in danger of death at all times; we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!
38 For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future,
39 neither the world above nor the world below–there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.
The other "liberal" and gender-neutral Bibles look tame compared to this version. In their introduction, the translators claimed that the greatest obstacle for the church was a masculine view of God and of Jesus. In the Inclusive Version, God is never referred to with masculine pronouns, and the Spirit is actually feminine. Titles such as Son, Lord, and King are replaced. The creators also lamented that they could not find a way to smooth out the "misogynistic and offensive" portions of Paul's letters. For conservative readers, the INC may be a real eye-opener.
26 The Spirit, too, comes to help us in our weakness. For we don't know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit expresses our plea with groanings too deep for words.
27 And God, who knows everything in our hearts, knows perfectly well what the Spirit is saying, because her intercessions for God's holy people are made according to the mind of God.
28 We know that God makes everything work together for the good of those who love God and have been called according to God's purpose.
29 They are the ones God chose long ago, predestined to share the image of the Only Begotten, in order that Christ might be the firstborn of many.
30 Those God predestined have likewise been called; those God called have also been justified; and those God justified have, in turn, been glorified.
31 What should be our response? Simply this: "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
32 Since God did not spare the Only Begotten, but gave Christ up for the sake of us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that God will freely give us everything.
33 Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? Since God is the One who justifies,
34 who has the power to condemn? Only Christ Jesus, who died–or rather, was raised–and sits at the right hand of God, and who now intercedes for us!
35 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Trouble? Calamity? Persecution? Hunger? Nakedness? Danger? Violence?
36 As scripture says, "For your sake, we're being killed all day long; we're looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 Yet in all this we are more than conquerors because of God who has loved us.
38 For I'm certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,
39 neither heights nor depths–nor anything else in all creation–will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, our Savior.
The goal of the KJ21 was to update the KJV as little as possible while still making the language somewhat less dated. In a way, its strategy is similar to the suggested changes in the New Scofield Reference Bible. To read the introduction, it appears the translators wanted to produce a new Bible that would be acceptable to the King James Only camp. Yet despite the KJ21's care to maintain the KJV's textual base and most criticized readings, the KJ21 found itself with a product too close to the KJV to distinguish itself, but too far from it to appeal to KJV-only readers. The words boldfaced here are those in which the KJ21 differs from the KJV's most common form.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover, whom He predestined, those He also called; and whom He called, those He also justified; and whom He justified, those He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say of these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay anything to the charge against God's elect? It is God who justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ who died, yea rather, who is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written: "For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Like the makers of the NKJV and KJ21, Jay P. Green strongly believes that the Textus Receptus that underlies the KJV is the perfectly preserved and only acceptable text for Bible translation. The LITV developed from his Interlinear Bible sought to counter the trends in modern versions toward loose translation and recent textual scholarship.
26 And likewise the Spirit also joins in to help our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself pleads our case for us with groanings that cannot be uttered.
27 But the [One] searching the hearts knows what [is the] mind of the Spirit, because He intercedes for the saints according to God.
28 But we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose;
29 because whom He foreknew, He also predestinated [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be [the] First-born among many brothers.
30 But whom He predestinated, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; but whom He justified, these He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?
32 Truly [He] who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not freely give us all things with Him?
33 Who will bring any charge against God's elect? God [is] the [One] justifying!
34 Who [is he] condemning? [It is] Christ who has died, but rather also [is] raised, who also is at [the] right [hand] of God, who also intercedes for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [Shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 Even as it has been written, "For Your sake we are killed all the day; we are counted as sheep of slaughter."
37 But in all these things we more than conquer through Him loving us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
The Updated edition of the NASB was not much more of a change than the second or third editions of most versions. The primary difference is the removal of archaic language forms from psalms and prayer language. The update is also somewhat less literal and has more of a tendency to let conjunctions slip out of the translation. Some older terms such as brethren remain. In boldface here are differences from the previous (1977) edition of the NASB.
26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;
34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The NLT is an update that reins in some of the excessive paraphrase of the Living Bible, sets poetic text off as poetry, and adds the best of scholarship to improve a popular Bible version. Also marked as The Book, complete with television commercials, the NLT quickly became one of the top three Bible translations among Protestants. It maintains much of the look and feel of the Living Bible. However, the editors' decision to make the translation gender-neutral angered some of the translators who had not expected such changes to their work.
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters.
30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory.
31 What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
32 Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?
33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! He is the one who has given us right standing with himself.
34 Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No, for he is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?
36 (Even the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.")
37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.
39 Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The makers of the NIV made this update in order to make their translation easier for young children and non-native English speakers to read. The language is even more simplified than the NCV. The first edition of the NIrV was gender-neutral, but this was toned down for the 1998 edition given here.
26 In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak. We don't know what we should pray for. But the Spirit himself prays for us. He prays with groans too deep for words.
27 God, who looks into our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit. And the Spirit prays for God's people just as God wants him to pray.
28 We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He appointed them to be saved in keeping with his purpose.
29 God planned that those he had chosen would become like his Son. In that way, Christ will be the first and most honored among many brothers.
30 And those God has planned for, he has also appointed to be saved. Those he has appointed, he has made right with himself. To those he has made right with himself, he has given his glory.
31 What should we say then? Since God is on our side, who can be against us?
32 God did not spare his own Son. He gave him up for us all. Then won't he also freely give us everything else?
33 Who can bring any charge against God's chosen ones? God makes us right with himself.
34 Who can sentence us to death? Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God and is also praying for us. He died. More than that, he was raised to life.
35 Who can separate us from Christ's love? Can trouble or hard times or harm or hunger? Can nakedness or danger or war?
36 It is written, "Because of you, we face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be killed."
37 No! In all these things we will do even more than win! We owe it all to Christ, who has loved us.
38 I am absolutely sure that not even death or life can separate us from God's love. Not even angels or demons, the present or the future, or any powers can do that.
39 Not even the highest places or the lowerst, or anything else in all creation can do that. Nothing at all can ever separate us from God's love because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.
The ISV is a fresh version whose translators make much of their use of computer technology. Partially gender-neutral but otherwise much like the NIV, the ISV is notable for translating Greek poetry into English rhyme and meter.
26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, for we don't know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself intercedes with groans too deep for words,
27 and the one who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, for the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to God's will.
28 And we know that he works all things together for the good of those who love God–those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he knew beforehand are the ones he had appointed to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 He also called those whom he had appointed beforehand, and justified those whom he had called, and glorified those whom he had justified.
31 What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 God didn't spare his own Son but gave him up for all of us. Surely he will give us everything else along with him, won't he?
33 Who can bring an accusation against God's chosen people? God has justified them!
34 Who can condemn them? Christ Jesus has died, and more importantly, he has been raised and is seated at the right hand of God. He is the one who intercedes for us!
35 Who can separate us from Christ's love? Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or a sword?
36 As it is written, "We are being killed all day long because of you. We are thought of as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through the one who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, not things to come, nor powers,
39 nor anything above, nor anything below, nor anything else can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The NET Bible was published on-line in 1998 and is also available in hard-copy. Like the ISV, it is a fresh, moderately literal translation whose creators capitalized on budding technology. It is conservative though slightly gender-neutral.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God's will.
28 And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,
29 because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 As it is written, "For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Many conservatives preferred the RSV's smooth read to the NASB's literalism, despite the RSV's liberal bias. A group of evangelical scholars revised the ESV, contemporizing psalms and prayer language and removing the RSV's more liberal renderings. The end product is still very similar to the RSV. In boldface here are differences from the RSV.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The TNIV is another minor revision of an existing version. The only major change was to make the NIV gender-neutral. Since the NIV had been the favorite translation for many evangelicals opposed to gender neutrality, there was a storm of controversy surrounding this version. The makers of the TNIV have agreed to keep the original NIV in print. Since major conservative denominations passed resolutions against this version (though not, curiously, against the NLT and other gender-neutral Bibles), the TNIV has not done well in the 18 months since it was released. In boldface here are changes from the 1984 edition of the NIV.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who then can condemn? No one. Christ Jesus who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Eugene Peterson's paraphrase, now being marketed as The Message Bible, is more distant from the text than any other version. Highly interpretive, this version sometimes reflects Peterson's theology more than the original authors' intent. Nevertheless, it has been tremendously popular in recent years because of its natural readability and fresh insights. (No boldface appears here because this Bible differs so much from other versions.)
26 Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.
27 He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God.
28 That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
29 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of thsoe who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.
30 After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.
31 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?
32 If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?
33 And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen?
34 Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us–who was raised to life for us!–is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.
35 Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing,
36 not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: "They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one."
37 None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.
38 I'm absolutely convinced that nothing–nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow,
39 high or low, thinkable or unthinkable–absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
The Clear Word is an expanded paraphrase arising from the ministerial experience and devotional insights of a Seventh Day Adventist minister. Controversial for its bold rewriting, the version gives high priority to supporting distinctive SDA beliefs. Notice, for example, the complete erasing of divine control and initiative from verses 28-30. (No boldface appears here because the CW differs so much from other versions.)
26 The Holy Spirit is always ready to help us. We don't even know how we should pray or what we really need, and when we think we do, we don't know how to say it right. The Holy Spirit takes our deepest emotions and longings and puts them into the beautiful language of heaven, pleading with God for us as if we were right there.
27 Actually, God knows our hearts and the thinking and purpose of the Holy Spirit because the Spirit always speaks to God for His people according to what God wants for us.
28 We know that God is able to bring something good out of every circumstance, so long as we trust Him and remain true to the purpose for which He called us.
29 God knows everyone born into this world. His plan is that all of us should be like His Son. This makes His Son the firstborn in God's family, making us all brothers and sisters in Christ.
30 God has predestined those who believe in Him to be like Hi sSon, so He gives us all the help we need. Therefore, whoever responds to God's call and believes in His Son, He justifies; and those whom He justifies, He intends to glorify.
31 What shall we say in response to all this? If God is for us, who can be against us!
32 If God loved us so much that He did not spare His own Son, but let Him suffer for us all, wouldn't He willingly do anything else to help us?
33 Who, then, has a right to bring a charge against God's chosen people, against those who have responded to His call? It is God Himself who stands by their side and justifies them.
34 Who dares to condemn what God does? It was God's own Son who died, rose again, and is now at the right hand of God interceding for us and confirming our standing with the Father before the whole universe.
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Should troubles, hardships, persecutions, hunger, poverty, danger, or threat of death?
36 As the Scriptures say, "For your sake, Lord, we are willing to face death every day of our lives. We are regarded by the world as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No! We can more than conquer all these things through Jesus Christ who loves us and died for us.
38 I am convinced that nothing can separate us from Christ–life, or death, or angels, or demons, or earthly powers, or things present, or things to come,
39 or heights or depths, or anything else. Nothing can drive a wedge between us and God's love as seen in Jesus Christ our Lord.
The HCSB is a multidenominational effort, but because it is produced by a Southern Baptist publisher, it provides Baptists with a version they can trust regardless of the trends of other translators. The need for such a version became apparent in the wake of reports that the NIV was going gender-neutral. The HCSB is just a tad more literal than the NIV.
26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.
27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? [note: set as poetry thru v. 39]
32 He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything?
33 Who can bring an accusation against God's elect? God is the One who justifies.
34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: BECAUSE OF YOU WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE COUNTED LIKE SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.
37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
The NLT's second edition claims greater precision in its translation without a sacrifice of readability. Indeed, it removes much of the LB's flowery paraphrasing that had remained in the NLT1. Also, its textual decisions are more closely aligned with the NASB and other recent versions than with the original Living Bible, and there are numerous footnotes giving readers access to more literal renderings. However, the basic approach to translating is the same. In boldface here are the differences from the first edition of the NLT.
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
31 What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?
33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one–for God himself has given us right standing with himself.
34 Who then will condemn us? No one–for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
36 (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.")
37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither fears for today nor worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.
39 No power in the sky above or on the earth below–indeed nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For anyone who's interested, this is how I would translate the passa