Paul begins an argument with an imaginary Jewish person. ## Therefore you are without excuse ## The word "therefore" marks a new section of the letter. It also makes a concluding statement based on what was said in [Romans 1:32](../01/32.md). Alternate translation: "Since God will punish those who continually sin, he will certainly not excuse your sins." ## you are ## Here the word "you" is singular. Paul is not talking to a real person. He is acting like a Jewish person is there arguing with him. Paul is doing this to teach his audience that God will punish everyone who continually sins, whether Jew or Gentile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe]]) ## you person, you who judge ## Here the word "person" is used to scold or mock someone who thinks he can act like God and judge others. This could be translated as a new sentence: "You are just a human being, yet you judge others and say they deserve God's punishment" ## for what you judge in another you condemn in yourself ## This could be translated as a new sentence: "But you are only judging yourself because you do the same wicked deeds as they do." ## But we know ## This may include Christian believers and also Jews who are not Christians. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-inclusive]]) ## God's judgment is according to truth when it falls on those ## "God will judge those people truly and fairly" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) ## those who practice such things ## "the people who do those wicked deeds"