¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says,^(A) it says to those who are under the law,^(B) so that every mouth may be silenced^(C) and the whole world held accountable to God.^{(D) 20} Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;^(E) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.^(F)

Righteousness Through Faith

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God^(G) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.^{(H) 22} This righteousness^(I) is given through faith^(J) in^[a] Jesus Christ^(K) to all who believe.^(L) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,^{(M) 23} for all have sinned^(N) and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified^(O) freely by his grace^(P) through the redemption^(Q) that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,^[b](R) through the shedding of his blood^(S)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished^(T)— ²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

²⁷ Where, then, is boasting?^(U) It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. ²⁸ For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.^(V)

Israel’s Unbelief

³⁰ What then shall we say?^(A) That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;^{(B) 31} but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness,^(C) have not attained their goal.^{(D) 32} Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.^{(E) 33} As it is written:

10 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire^(G) and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. ² For I can testify about them that they are zealous^(H) for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. ³ Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.^{(I) 4} Christ is the culmination of the law^(J) so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.^(K)

⁵ Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”^{[b](L) 6} But the righteousness that is by faith^(M) says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”^[c](N) (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”^[d](O) (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).^{(P) 8} But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”^[e](Q) that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: ⁹ If you declare^(R) with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”^(S) and believe^(T) in your heart that God raised him from the dead,^(U) you will be saved.^{(V) 10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ¹¹ As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”^{[f](W) 12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile^(X)—the same Lord is Lord of all^(Y) and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord^(Z) will be saved.”^[g](AA)