Romans 5:17–21

A Catholic funeral reading (second reading), with the full text in the King James Version and the Douay-Rheims.

Reads in about 1 minute5 versesCatholic: New Testament

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King James Version

1. 17For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
2. 18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
3. 19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
4. 20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
5. 21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Douay-Rheims

1. 17For if by one man’s offence death reigned through one; much more they who receive abundance of grace and of the gift and of justice shall reign in life through one, Jesus Christ.
2. 18Therefore, as by the offence of one, unto all men to condemnation: so also by the justice of one, unto all men to justification of life.
3. 19For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners: so also by the obedience of one, many shall be made just.
4. 20Now the law entered in that sin might abound. And where sin abounded, grace did more abound.
5. 21That as sin hath reigned to death: so also grace might reign by justice unto life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Most Catholic parishes in the US read the New American Bible. Read Romans 5 in the NABRE at usccb.org.

Where this reading is used

• Catholic: New Testament (Lectionary for Mass, no. 1014)

Scripture: King James Version (1769 text) and Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (Project Gutenberg #1581); both public domain. Citation as listed in the Lectionary for Mass.