1 Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of
circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Because first of all, they were
entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 For what if some were without faith?
Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 May it never
be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is
written,
“That you might be justified in your words,
And might prevail when you come into judgment.”
5 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will
we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do. 6 May
it never be! For then how will God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of
God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a
sinner? 8 Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm
that we say), “Let us do evil, that good may come?” Those who say so are
justly condemned. 9 What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For
we previously charged both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.
10 As it is written,
“There is no one righteous.
No, not one.
11 There is no one who understands.
There is no one who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside.
They have together become unprofitable.
There is no one who does good,
No, not, so much as one.”
13 “Their throat is an open tomb.
With their tongues they have used deceit.”
“The poison of vipers is under their lips;”
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood.
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways.
17 The way of peace, they haven’t known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who
are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be
brought under the judgment of God. 20 Because by the works of the law, no
flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge
of sin. 21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been
revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; 22 even the
righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those
who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned, and fall
short of the glory of God; 24 being justified freely by his grace through
the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God set forth to be an
atoning sacrifice*1 , through faith in his blood, for
a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins,
in God’s forbearance; 26 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present
time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith
in Jesus.
27 Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what manner of law? Of
works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 We maintain therefore that a man is
justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God
of Jews only? Isn’t he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,
30 since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by
faith, and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then nullify the law
through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.
1 or, a propitiation
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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