1 What then is the superiority of the Jew ? Or what is the advantage of circumcision ?
2 Much, every way. And first, because to them were intrusted the oracles of God.
3 For if some of them have not believed, have they, by their not believing, made the faith of God inefficient ?
4 Far be it: for God is veracious, and every man false: as it is written: That thou mightest be upright, in thy declarations; and be found pure, when they judge thee.
5 But if our iniquity establish the rectitude of God, what shall we say ? Is God unrighteous, when he inflicteth wrath ? (I speak as a man.)
6 Far from it. Otherwise how will God judge the world?
7 But if the truth of God hath been furthered by my falsehood, to his glory; why am I then condemned as a sinner ?
8 Or shall we say as some have slanderously reported us to say: We will do evil things, that good [results] may come ? The condemnation of such is reserved for justice.
9 What then, have WE the superiority, when we have before decided as to both Jews and Gentiles, that all of them are under sin ?
10 As it is written: There is none righteous; no, no one:
11 and none that understandeth; nor that seeketh after God.
12 They have all turned aside, together; and become reprobates. There is none that doeth good; no, not one.
13 Their throats are open sepulchres, and their tongues treacherous; and the venom of the asp is under their lips.
14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness;
15 and their feet are swift to shed blood.
16 Destruction and anguish are in their paths:
17 and the path of peacefulness they have not known:
18 and the fear of God is not before their eyes.
19 Now we know, that whatever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world be guilty before God.
20 Wherefore, by the deeds of the law, no flesh is justified before him: for, by the law, sin is known.
21 But now, the righteousness of God without the law, is manifested; and the law and the prophets testify of it:
22 even the righteousness of God, which is by faith in Jesus Messiah, for every one, and on every one, that believeth in him: for there is no distinction;
23 for they have all sinned, and failed of the glory of God.
24 And they are justified gratuitously, by grace, and by the redemption which is in Jesus Messiah;
25 whom God hath preconstituted a propitiation, by faith in his blood, because of our sins, which we before committed,
26 in the space which God in his long suffering gave to us, for the manifestation of his righteousness at the present time; that he might be righteous, and might with righteousness justify him who is in the faith of our Lord Jesus Messiah.
27 Where then is glorying? It is annihilated. By what law? by that of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 We therefore conclude, that it is by faith a man is justified, and not by the works of the law.
29 For, is he the God of the Jews only, and not of the Gentiles? Nay: of the Gentiles also.
30 Because there is, one God, who justifieth the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision by the same faith.
31 Do, we then nullify the law by faith ? Far be it. On the contrary, we establish the law.
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