¹² For all who sin without the law^(A) will also perish without the law, and all who sin under^[a] the law will be judged by the law. ¹³ For the hearers of the law^(B) are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified.^{[b] 14} So, when Gentiles, who do not by nature have the law,^(C) do^[c] what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the work of the law^[d] is written on their hearts.^(D) Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts either accuse or even excuse them^{[e] 16} on the day when God judges^(E) what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.^(F)

Jewish Violation of the Law

¹⁷ Now if^[f] you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law,^(G) and boast in God, ¹⁸ and know his will, and approve the things that are superior,^(H) being instructed from the law, ¹⁹ and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth^(I) in the law— ²¹ you then, who teach another,^(J) don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? ²² You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples?^{(K) 23} You who boast in the law,^(L) do you dishonor God by breaking the law?^{[g] 24} For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.^[h](M)

Circumcision of the Heart

²⁵ Circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.^{(N) 26} So if an uncircumcised^(O) man keeps the law’s requirements,^(P) will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? ²⁷ A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who keeps the law, will judge you^(Q) who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. ²⁸ For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly,^(R) and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. ²⁹ On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly,^(S) and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter.^[i](T) That person’s praise is not from people but from God.^(U)

The Whole World Guilty before God

⁹ What then? Are we any better off?^[a] Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews^(A) and Greeks^(B) are all under sin,^{[b](C) 10} as it is written:

²⁰ For no one will be justified^[a] in his sight by the works of the law,^(A) because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.^(B)

The Righteousness of God through Faith

²¹ But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed,^(C) attested by the Law and the Prophets.^{[b](D) 22} The righteousness of God is through faith^(E) in Jesus Christ^[c](F) to all who believe,^(G) since there is no distinction.^{(H) 23} For all have sinned^(I) and fall short of the^[d] glory of God;

Boasting Excluded

²⁷ Where, then, is boasting?^(A) It is excluded. By what kind of law?^[a](B) By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law^[b] of faith. ²⁸ For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.^(C)