|
[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.
|