Romans 9:33
New International Version
As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

New Living Translation
God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, “I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

English Standard Version
as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Berean Standard Bible
as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

Berean Literal Bible
as it has been written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and the one believing on Him will never be put to shame."

King James Bible
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

New King James Version
As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

New American Standard Bible
just as it is written: “BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.”

NASB 1995
just as it is written, “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

NASB 1977
just as it is written, “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

Legacy Standard Bible
just as it is written, “BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND THE ONE WHO BELIEVES UPON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.”

Amplified Bible
As it is written and forever remains written, “BEHOLD I AM LAYING IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE; AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED [in his expectations].”

Christian Standard Bible
As it is written, Look, I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over and a rock to trip over, and the one who believes on him will not be put to shame.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As it is written: Look! I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over and a rock to trip over, yet the one who believes on Him will not be put to shame.

American Standard Version
even as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

Contemporary English Version
just as God says in the Scriptures, "Look! I am placing in Zion a stone to make people stumble and fall. But those who have faith in that one will never be disappointed."

English Revised Version
even as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As Scripture says, "I am placing a rock in Zion that people trip over, a large rock that people find offensive. Whoever believes in him will not be ashamed."

Good News Translation
that the scripture speaks of: "Look, I place in Zion a stone that will make people stumble, a rock that will make them fall. But whoever believes in him will not be disappointed."

International Standard Version
As it is written, "Look! I am placing a stone in Zion over which people will stumble— a large rock that will make them fall— and the one who believes in him will never be ashamed."

Majority Standard Bible
as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

NET Bible
just as it is written, "Look, I am laying in Zion a stone that will cause people to stumble and a rock that will make them fall, yet the one who believes in him will not be put to shame."

New Heart English Bible
even as it is written, "Look, I am laying in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock to trip over; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."

Webster's Bible Translation
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone, and rock of offense: and whoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Weymouth New Testament
in agreement with the statement of Scripture, "See, I am placing on Mount Zion a stone for people to stumble at, and a rock for them to trip over, and yet he whose faith rests upon it shall never have reason to feel ashamed."

World English Bible
even as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
according as it has been written: “Behold, I place in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and everyone who is believing thereon will not be ashamed.”

Berean Literal Bible
as it has been written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and the one believing on Him will never be put to shame."

Young's Literal Translation
according as it hath been written, 'Lo, I place in Sion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence; and every one who is believing thereon shall not be ashamed.'

Smith's Literal Translation
As has been written, Behold I set in Zion a stone of stumbling and rock of offence: and every one believing on him shall not be ashamed.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As it is written: Behold I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and a rock of scandal; and whosoever believeth in him shall not be confounded.

Catholic Public Domain Version
just as it was written: “Behold, I am placing a stumbling block in Zion, and a rock of scandal. But whoever believes in him shall not be confounded.”

New American Bible
as it is written: “Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion that will make people stumble and a rock that will make them fall, and whoever believes in him shall not be put to shame.”

New Revised Standard Version
as it is written, “See, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make people stumble, a rock that will make them fall, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As it is written, Behold, the prophet I give to Zion becomes a stumblingstone, and rock of offence: but whoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
As it is written: “Behold. I have laid down in Zion a stumbling stone and a stone of offense and whoever will believe in him will not be disappointed.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
as it is written: Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense: and whoever believes on him, shall not be ashamed.

Godbey New Testament
as has been written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: and he that believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Haweis New Testament
as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence: and every one that believeth in him shall not be confounded.”

Mace New Testament
as it is written, "behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone, and a rock of offence: and whosoever believeth in him, shall not be ashamed."

Weymouth New Testament
in agreement with the statement of Scripture, "See, I am placing on Mount Zion a stone for people to stumble at, and a rock for them to trip over, and yet he whose faith rests upon it shall never have reason to feel ashamed."

Worrell New Testament
as it has been written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offense; and he that believes on Him shall not be put to shame."

Worsley New Testament
as it is written, "Behold I lay in Sion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence:" and again, "Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed."

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel's Unbelief
32Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

Cross References
Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.

1 Peter 2:6-8
For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” / To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” / and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.

Isaiah 8:14
And He will be a sanctuary—but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare.

Matthew 21:42
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Psalm 118:22
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

1 Corinthians 1:23
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

Luke 20:17
But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?

Acts 4:11
This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

Matthew 11:6
Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”

1 Corinthians 3:11
For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:20
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.

1 Peter 2:4-5
As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, / you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Daniel 2:34-35
As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. / Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were shattered and became like chaff on the threshing floor in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that had struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Zechariah 10:4
The cornerstone will come from Judah, the tent peg from him, as well as the battle bow and every ruler together.


Treasury of Scripture

As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offense: and whoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.

Behold.

Psalm 118:22
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

Isaiah 8:14,15
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem…

Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

and whosoever.

Romans 5:5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 10:11
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Psalm 25:2,3,20
O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me…

ashamed.

1 Peter 2:6
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Jump to Previous
Agreement Ashamed Believes Believeth Causes Disappointed Faith Fall Feel Lay Laying Makes Mount Offence Offense Placing Reason Rests Rock Scripture Shame Sion Statement Stone Stumble Stumbling Stumblingstone Stumbling-Stone Trip Written Zion
Jump to Next
Agreement Ashamed Believes Believeth Causes Disappointed Faith Fall Feel Lay Laying Makes Mount Offence Offense Placing Reason Rests Rock Scripture Shame Sion Statement Stone Stumble Stumbling Stumblingstone Stumbling-Stone Trip Written Zion
Romans 9
1. Paul is sorry for the Jews.
7. All of Abraham not of the promise.
18. God's sovereignty.
25. The calling of the Gentiles and rejecting of the Jews, foretold.
32. The cause of their stumbling.














as it is written
This phrase indicates that Paul is referencing the Old Testament, grounding his argument in the Hebrew Scriptures. The use of "as it is written" underscores the continuity and fulfillment of prophecy in the New Testament. It reflects the Jewish tradition of scriptural authority and highlights the importance of the Old Testament in understanding the New Testament message.

See, I lay in Zion
"Zion" refers to Jerusalem, the city of God, and by extension, the people of Israel. The phrase "I lay" suggests divine initiative and purpose. God is actively placing something significant in Zion, which is central to His redemptive plan. Historically, Zion is the spiritual and political heart of Israel, symbolizing God's presence and covenant with His people.

a stone of stumbling
The "stone" is a metaphor for Jesus Christ, who is both foundational and divisive. In Greek, the word for "stumbling" (πρόσκομμα, proskomma) implies an obstacle that causes one to trip. This imagery reflects how Jesus, while being the cornerstone of faith, also becomes a point of contention and rejection for those who do not believe. The stone is a test of faith and obedience.

and a rock of offense
The "rock" (πέτρα, petra) signifies strength and permanence, yet it is also a "rock of offense" (σκάνδαλον, skandalon), meaning a cause for scandal or stumbling. This duality illustrates the paradox of Christ's role: He is the foundation for believers but a challenge to those who reject Him. Historically, Jesus' teachings and claims were offensive to many in His time, leading to His crucifixion.

and the one who believes in Him
Belief in "Him" (Jesus) is the central tenet of Christian faith. The Greek word for "believes" (πιστεύων, pisteuōn) implies trust and reliance, not just intellectual assent. This belief is transformative, leading to salvation and a new identity in Christ. It is a personal and communal act, uniting believers across time and space.

will never be put to shame
The promise of never being "put to shame" (καταισχυνθήσεται, kataischynthēsetai) is a powerful assurance of honor and vindication. In a historical context, shame was a significant social and personal consequence. This phrase assures believers that their faith in Christ will ultimately lead to honor and glory, both in this life and the life to come. It reflects the hope and confidence that come from a relationship with Jesus, transcending earthly trials and tribulations.

(33) Behold, I lay in Sion.--A free combination of Isaiah 28:16--"Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone; . . . he that believeth shall not make haste"--and Isaiah 8:14, "And He shall be . . . for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel." In the first of these passages the prophet refers to the foundation-stone of the Temple as a symbol of the divine faithfulness; in the second to God Himself. St. Paul, like the Jewish Rabbis, applied both passages to the Messiah; not wrongly, for they foretold the triumph of the theocracy which was fulfilled in the Messiah. The same two quotations appear in 1Peter 2:6-7, and with similar variation from the LXX., but they are there kept distinct.

Shall not be ashamed.--So, too, the LXX. The Hebrew is, "Shall not make haste."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

it is written:
γέγραπται (gegraptai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

“See,
Ἰδοὺ (Idou)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

I lay
τίθημι (tithēmi)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5087: To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Zion
Σιὼν (Siōn)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4622: Zion, the hill; used for Jerusalem or heaven. Of Hebrew origin; Sion, a hill of Jerusalem; figuratively, the Church.

a stone
λίθον (lithon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3037: A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.

of stumbling,
προσκόμματος (proskommatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4348: A stumbling-block, an occasion for falling, a moral embarrassment. From proskopto; a stub, i.e. occasion of apostasy.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

a rock
πέτραν (petran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4073: A rock, ledge, cliff, cave, stony ground. Feminine of the same as Petros; a rock.

of offense;
σκανδάλου (skandalou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4625: A snare, stumbling-block, cause for error. Scandal; probably from a derivative of kampto; a trap-stick, i.e. Snare.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the [one who]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

believes
πιστεύων (pisteuōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

in
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

Him
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

will never be put to shame.”
καταισχυνθήσεται (kataischynthēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2617: From kata and aischunomai; to shame down, i.e. Disgrace or put to the blush.


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NT Letters: Romans 9:33 Even as it is written Behold (Rom. Ro)
Romans 9:32
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