Greeks, Chapter 9

1 Having already arranged all things within himself along with his Child, during the former time he allowed us to be borne along as we wished by irregular motions, led away by pleasures and desires. Not that he took pleasure in our sins — he bore with them. He did not approve the former period of unrighteousness, but was bringing into existence the present period of righteousness. He intended that we, who had been convicted in the former time as unworthy of life by our own works, might now be counted worthy by the kindness of God. And that we, who had made it plain that by ourselves it was impossible to enter the kingdom of God, might be made able by the power of God.[fn]
2 But when our unrighteousness was made complete, and it was fully revealed that its wages — punishment and death — were to be expected, then came the time which God had foreordained finally to manifest his own kindness and power. O the surpassing love toward man, the love of God! He did not hate us, nor reject us, nor remember the evil, but was long-suffering. He bore with us. Having mercy, he himself took upon himself our sins. He himself gave his own Son a ransom for us — the holy for the lawless, the harmless for the evil, the righteous for the unrighteous, the incorruptible for the corruptible, the immortal for the mortal.[fn]
3 For what other [thing] was able to cover our sins but his righteousness?
4 In whom was it possible for us, the lawless and ungodly, to be justified other than in the only Son of God?
5 O sweet exchange! O unsearchable workmanship! O unexpected benefits! That the iniquity of many should be hidden in one righteous; that the righteousness of one should justify many lawless!
6 He convicted us in the preceding period that our own nature could not obtain life, and has now shown us a Savior able to save even the impossible. By both of these he willed for us to put faith in his kindness; and count him our nourisher, father, teacher, counselor, physician, mind, light, honor, glory, might, life; and not be anxious about clothing and food.

Footnotes

1

Having then already arranged all things within himself along with his Child: this opening clause depends on scholarly conjectures by Lachmann, since the manuscript is corrupt at this point. Most modern editions accept this reconstruction.

2

Son: Greek υἱός (*huios*). This is the first use of υἱός ('Son') in the epistle, following three uses of παῖς ('Child') in 8:9, 8:11, and 9:1. See note at 8:9.