This verse actually begins “as it is written (in scripture).” However, many translations attempt to make the relation between the stone and the passage in scripture explicit: “… stone” that the scripture speaks of (Good News Translation), “… ‘stone’ mentioned in scripture” (New English Bible, Jerusalem Bible). The scripture quotation in this verse is taken from the Septuagint of Isaiah 28.16, combined with words from Isaiah 8.14. Isaiah 28.16 is quoted again in 10.11. If the speaker of these words must be identified, then God is the one speaking. From the context it is clear that Paul understands Christ to be this stone, and his function is necessarily twofold: to be the cause of rejection and of faith.
The Greek particle translated “look” is primarily designed to call attention to what is being said, and it is not a direct command to look at something particular. Therefore in some languages the equivalent expression would be “listen carefully” or “pay attention.”
In rendering the expression a stone that will make people stumble one should avoid the impression that the stone is an active agent in the sense of moving about in such a way as to make people stumble. In many languages the more appropriate expression would be “a stone against which people will stumble” or “a stone which will cause people to trip and stumble.”
One should also avoid the impression that God is placing in Zion both a stone and a rock. The two first lines of the quotation are parallel and refer to the same object. This identity may be expressed in some languages as “that is to say, a rock on which they will trip.”
Whoever believes in him may be translated as “whoever trusts in him” or “if any one trusts in him.”
In some languages will not be disappointed may be translated as “will never have reason to be disappointed” or “I will never fail him.”
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .