Romans 1:21

New International Reader's Version

They knew God. But they didn’t honor him as God. They didn’t thank him. Their thinking became worthless. Their foolish hearts became dark.

Cross References

Genesis 6:5

The Lord saw how bad the sins of everyone on earth had become. They only thought about evil things.

Genesis 8:21

The smell of the offerings pleased the Lord. He said to himself, “I will never put a curse on the ground again because of human beings. I will not do it even though their hearts are always directed toward evil. Their thoughts are evil from the time they are young. I will never destroy all living things again, as I have just done.

1 Kings 20:23

During that time, the officials of the king of Aram gave him advice. They said, “The gods of Israel are gods of the hills. That’s why they were too strong for us. But suppose we fight them on the plains. Then we’ll certainly be stronger than they are.

2 Kings 17:15

They refused to obey his rules. They broke the covenant he had made with them. They didn’t pay any attention to the rules he had warned them to keep. They worshiped worthless statues of gods. Then they themselves became worthless. They followed the example of the nations around them. They did it even though the Lord had ordered them not to. He had said, “Do not do as they do.”

Psalm 50:23

People who sacrifice thank offerings to me honor me. To those who are without blame I will show my power to save.”

Psalm 81:12

So I let them go their own stubborn way. I let them follow their own sinful plans.

Psalm 86:9

Lord, all the nations you have made will come and worship you. They will bring glory to you.

Ecclesiastes 7:29

Here’s the only other thing I found. God created human beings as honest. But they’ve made many evil plans.”

Isaiah 60:2

Darkness covers the earth. Thick darkness spreads over the nations. But I will rise and shine on you. My glory will appear over you.

Jeremiah 16:19

Lord, you give me strength. You are like a fort to me. When I’m in trouble, I go to you for safety. The nations will come to you from one end of the earth to the other. They will gather together and say, “Our people of long ago didn’t own anything except statues of gods. The statues were worthless. They didn’t do them any good.

Jeremiah 17:9

A human heart is more dishonest than anything else. It can’t be healed. Who can understand it?

Jeremiah 2:5

The Lord says, “What did your people of long ago find wrong with me? Why did they wander so far away from me? They worshiped worthless statues of gods. Then they themselves became worthless.

Jeremiah 9:14

Instead, they have done what their stubborn hearts wanted them to do. They have worshiped the gods that are named Baal. They have done what their people have taught them to do through the years.”

Ezekiel 14:5

I will win back the hearts of the people of Israel. All of them have deserted me for their other gods.” ’

Ezekiel 20:25

So I let them follow other rules. Those other rules were not good. I let them have laws they could not live by.

Hosea 2:8

She wouldn’t admit that I was the one who gave her everything she had. I provided her with grain, olive oil and fresh wine. I gave her plenty of silver and gold. But she used it to make statues of Baal.

John 3:19

Here is the judgment. Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light. They loved darkness because what they did was evil.

Acts 26:18

to open their eyes. I want you to turn them from darkness to light. I want you to turn them from Satan’s power to God. I want their sins to be forgiven. They will be forgiven when they believe in me. They will have their place among God’s people.’

Romans 1:19

The truth about God is plain to them. God has made it plain.

Romans 1:28

They didn’t think it was important to know God. So God let them continue to have evil thoughts. They did things they shouldn’t do.

Romans 11:10

Let their eyes grow dark so they can’t see. Let their backs be bent forever.” (Psalm 69:22,23)

Romans 15:9

Jesus became a servant of the Jews. He did this so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercy. It is written, “I will praise you among the Gentiles. I will sing the praises of your name.” (2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49)

Deuteronomy 28:29

Even at noon you will have to feel your way around like a blind person in the dark. You won’t have success in anything you do. Day after day you will be robbed and treated badly. No one will be able to save you.

2 Timothy 3:2

People will love themselves. They will love money. They will brag and be proud. They will tear others down. They will not obey their parents. They won’t be thankful or holy.

1 Peter 1:18

You were set free from an empty way of life. This way of life was handed down to you by your own people of long ago. You know that you were not bought with things that can pass away, like silver or gold.

1 Peter 2:9

But God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are God’s special treasure. You are all these things so that you can give him praise. God brought you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Revelation 14:7

In a loud voice he said, “Have respect for God. Give him glory. The hour has come for God to judge. Worship him who made the heavens and the earth. Worship him who made the sea and the springs of water.”

Revelation 15:4

Lord, who will not have respect for you? Who will not bring glory to your name? You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you. They see that the things you do are right.”