The law was given so that sin would increase. But where sin increased, God’s grace increased even more.

律法本是外添的，叫过犯显多；只是罪在哪里显多，恩典就更显多了。

而且加添了律法，使得过犯增加，只是罪在哪里增加，恩典就在哪里越发丰盛了。

而且加添了律法，使得过犯增加，只是罪在哪里增加，恩典就在哪里越发丰盛了。

律法是后来颁布的，使过犯更多地显出来，只是哪里的罪越多，哪里的恩典就显得越丰富。

律法的出现，是要叫过犯增多；然而罪在哪里增多，恩典就更加增多了。

律法出现，为要使过犯增多；可是，罪在哪里增多，恩典就在哪里格外增多。

律法本是外添的，叫過犯顯多；只是罪在哪裏顯多，恩典就更顯多了。

而且加添了律法，使得過犯增加，只是罪在哪裏增加，恩典就在哪裏越發豐盛了。

而且加添了律法，使得過犯增加，只是罪在哪裏增加，恩典就在哪裏越發豐盛了。

律法是後來頒佈的，使過犯更多地顯出來，只是哪裡的罪越多，哪裡的恩典就顯得越豐富。

律法的出現，是要叫過犯增多；然而罪在哪裡增多，恩典就更加增多了。

律法溜了進來，使過犯增多；但罪在哪裏增多，恩典也就在哪裏格外地滿溢；

律法出現，為要使過犯增多；可是，罪在哪裡增多，恩典就在哪裡格外增多。

且律既至、俾愆益增、罪既增、而恩愈洪矣、

律法立、而罪之多以顯、亦罪多、而恩之洪益彰、

律法立、致罪增益、然罪增益之處、恩寵更裕、

夫法之所至罪之所彰也；而罪之所彰、恩亦彌盛。

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.

The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more

The Law came in so that the offense would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:

The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more,

The law came in that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;

What should we say then? Should we keep on sinning so that God’s grace can increase?

At one time we too acted like fools. We didn’t obey God. We were tricked. We were controlled by all kinds of desires and pleasures. We were full of evil. We wanted what belongs to others. People hated us, and we hated one another.But the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared.He saved us. It wasn’t because of the good things we had done. It was because of his mercy. He saved us by washing away our sins. We were born again. The Holy Spirit gave us new life.God poured out the Spirit on us freely. That’s because of what Jesus Christ our Savior has done.His grace made us right with God. So now we have received the hope of eternal life as God’s children.

Lord, be true to your name. Forgive my sin, even though it is great.

Sin will no longer control you like a master. That’s because the law does not rule you. God’s grace has set you free.

So I tell you this. Her many sins have been forgiven. She has shown that she understands this by her great acts of love. But whoever has been forgiven only a little loves only a little.”

Then why was the law given at all? It was added because of human sin. And it was supposed to control us until the promised Seed had come. The law was given through angels, and a go- between was put in charge of it.A go- between means that there is more than one side to an agreement. But God didn’t use a go- between when he made his promise to Abraham.So is the law opposed to God’s promises? Certainly not! What if a law had been given that could give life? Then people could become right with God by obeying the law.But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin. It does so in order that what was promised might be given to those who believe. The promise comes through faith in Jesus Christ.Before faith in Christ came, we were guarded by the law. We were locked up until this faith was made known.So the law was put in charge of us until Christ came. He came so that we might be made right with God by believing in Christ.But now faith in Christ has come. So the law is no longer in charge of us.

The law brings God’s anger. Where there is no law, the law can’t be broken.

You were living in your sins and lawless ways. But in fact you were dead.You used to live as sinners when you followed the ways of this world. You served the one who rules over the spiritual forces of evil. He is the spirit who is now at work in those who don’t obey God.At one time we all lived among them. Our desires were controlled by sin. We tried to satisfy what they wanted us to do. We followed our desires and thoughts. God was angry with us like he was with everyone else. That’s because of the kind of people we all were.But God loves us deeply. He is full of mercy.So he gave us new life because of what Christ has done. He gave us life even when we were dead in sin. God’s grace has saved you.

What the law says, it says to those who are ruled by the law. Its purpose is to shut every mouth and make the whole world accountable to God.So no one will be considered right with God by obeying the law. Instead, the law makes us more aware of our sin.

“ Come. Let us settle this matter,” says the Lord.“ Even though your sins are bright red, they will be as white as snow. Even though they are deep red, they will be white like wool.

A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they may have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.

Go and learn what this means,‘ I want mercy and not sacrifice.’( Hosea 6:6) I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.”

But you have not bought any sweet- smelling cane for me. You have not given me the fattest parts of your animal sacrifices. Instead, you have loaded me down with your sins. You have made me tired with the wrong things you have done.“ I am the one who wipes out your lawless acts. I do it because of who I am. I will not remember your sins anymore.

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin.

The power of sin used to control us. The law stirred up sinful desires in us. So the things we did resulted in death.But now we have died to what used to control us. We have been set free from the law. Now we serve in the new way of the Holy Spirit. We no longer serve in the old way of the written law.What should we say then? That the law is sinful? Not at all! Yet I wouldn’t have known what sin was unless the law had told me. The law says,“ Do not want what belongs to other people.”( Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21) If the law hadn’t said that, I would not have known what it was like to want what belongs to others.But the commandment gave sin an opportunity. Sin caused me to want all kinds of things that belong to others. A person can’t sin by breaking a law if that law doesn’t exist.Before I knew about the law, I was alive. But then the commandment came. Sin came to life, and I died.I found that the commandment that was supposed to bring life actually brought death.When the commandment gave sin the opportunity, sin tricked me. It used the commandment to put me to death.So the law is holy. The commandment also is holy and right and good.Did what is good cause me to die? Not at all! Sin had to be recognized for what it really is. So it used what is good to bring about my death. Because of the commandment, sin became totally sinful.

Lord, who is a God like you? You forgive sin. You forgive your people when they do what is wrong. You don’t stay angry forever. Instead, you take delight in showing your faithful love to them.Once again you will show loving concern for us. You will completely wipe out the evil things we’ve done. You will throw all our sins into the bottom of the sea.

So you will be dishonored. You have given your sisters an excuse for what they did. Your sins were far worse than theirs. In fact, your sisters appear to be more godly than you. So then, be ashamed. You will be dishonored. You have made them appear to be godly.

But I will remember my covenant with you. I made it with you when you were young. Now I will make a new covenant with you. It will last forever.Then you will remember how you have lived. You will be ashamed when I give you Samaria and Sodom. Samaria is your older sister. Sodom is your younger one. I will give them and their daughters to you as daughters. That can’t happen based on my old covenant with you.So I will make my new covenant with you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.I will pay for all the sins you have committed. Then you will remember what you have done. You will be ashamed of it. Because of your shame, you will never speak against me again,” announces the Lord and King.

I will sprinkle pure water on you. Then you will be‘ clean.’ I will make you completely pure and‘ clean.’ I will take all the statues of your gods away from you.I will give you new hearts. I will give you a new spirit that is faithful to me. I will remove your stubborn hearts from you. I will give you hearts that obey me.I will put my Spirit in you. I will make you want to obey my rules. I want you to be careful to keep my laws.Then you will live in the land I gave your people of long ago. You will be my people. And I will be your God.I will save you from all your‘ uncleanness.’ I will give you plenty of grain. You will have more than enough. So you will never be hungry again.I will multiply the fruit on your trees. I will increase the crops in your fields. Then the nations will no longer make fun of you because you are hungry.You will remember your evil ways and the sinful things you have done. You will hate yourselves because you have sinned so much. I also hate your evil practices.I want you to know that I am not doing those things for your benefit,” announces the Lord and King.“ People of Israel, you should be ashamed of yourselves! Your conduct has brought dishonor to you.” ’ ”

The Law was written in letters on stone. Even though it was a way of serving God, it led to death. But even that way of serving God came with glory. The glory lasted for only a short time. Even so, the people of Israel couldn’t look at Moses’ face very long.Since all this is true, won’t the work of the Holy Spirit be even more glorious?The law that condemns people to death had glory. How much more glory does the work of the Spirit have! His work makes people right with God.

All those things bring praise to his glorious grace. God freely gave us his grace because of the One he loves.We have been set free because of what Christ has done. Because he bled and died our sins have been forgiven. We have been set free because God’s grace is so rich.He poured his grace on us. By giving us great wisdom and understanding,

Don’t you know that people who do wrong will not receive God’s kingdom? Don’t be fooled. Those who commit sexual sins will not receive the kingdom. Neither will those who worship statues of gods or commit adultery. Neither will men who sleep with other men.Neither will thieves or those who always want more and more. Neither will those who are often drunk or tell lies or cheat. People who live like that will not receive God’s kingdom.Some of you used to do those things. But your sins were washed away. You were made holy. You were made right with God. All of this was done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was also done by the Spirit of our God.

I gave Israel their letter of divorce. I sent them away because they were unfaithful to me so many times. But I saw that their sister nation Judah did not have any respect for me. They were not faithful to me either. They also went out and committed adultery with other gods.Israel was not faithful to me, but that did not bother them at all. They made the land‘ unclean.’ They worshiped gods that were made out of stone and wood.In spite of all this, their sister nation Judah did not come back to me. They were not faithful to me either. They did not return with all their heart. They only pretended to,” announces the Lord.The Lord said to me,“ Israel and Judah have not been faithful to me. But Israel was not as bad as Judah was.Go. Announce this message to the people in the north. Tell them,“‘ Israel, you have not been faithful,’ announces the Lord.‘ Return to me. Then I will do good things for you again. That’s because I am faithful,’ announces the Lord.‘ I will not be angry with you forever.Admit that you are guilty of doing what is wrong. You have refused to obey me. I am the Lord your God. You have committed adultery with other gods. You worshiped them under every green tree. And you have not obeyed me,’ ” announces the Lord.“ You people have not been faithful,” announces the Lord.“ Return to me. I am your husband. I will choose one of you from each town. I will choose two from each territory. And I will bring you to the city of Zion.

One of the criminals hanging there made fun of Jesus. He said,“ Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself! Save us!”But the other criminal scolded him.“ Don’t you have any respect for God?” he said.“ Remember, you are under the same sentence of death.We are being punished fairly. We are getting just what our actions call for. But this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”Then he said,“ Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”Jesus answered him,“ What I’m about to tell you is true. Today you will be with me in paradise.”

I used to speak evil things against Jesus. I tried to hurt his followers. I really pushed them around. But God showed me mercy anyway. I did those things without knowing any better. I wasn’t a believer.Our Lord poured out more and more of his grace on me. Along with it came faith and love from Christ Jesus.Here is a saying that you can trust. It should be accepted completely. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the worst sinner of all.But for that very reason, God showed me mercy. And I am the worst of sinners. He showed me mercy so that Christ Jesus could show that he is very patient. I was an example for those who would come to believe in him. Then they would receive eternal life.

But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray. They did more evil things than the nations the Lord had destroyed to make room for the Israelites.The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people. But they didn’t pay any attention to him.So the Lord brought the army commanders of the king of Assyria against them. They took Manasseh as a prisoner. They put a hook in his nose. They put him in bronze chains. And they took him to Babylon.When Manasseh was in trouble, he asked the Lord his God to help him. He made himself very humble in the sight of the God of his people.Manasseh prayed to him. When he did, the Lord felt sorry for him. He answered his prayer. The Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.