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1Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision? 2Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the revelations of YAHWEH. 3For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of YAHWEH? 4May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written,
“so you may be proved right when you speak,
and justified when you judge.” # 3:4 Psalm 51:4
5But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of YAHWEH, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do. 6May it never be! For then how will YAHWEH judge the world? 7For if the truth of YAHWEH through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), “Let’s do evil, that good may come?” Those who say so are justly condemned.
9What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10As it is written,
“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt.
They have done abominable deeds.
11 There is no one who does good.
YAHWEH looked down from heaven on the children of men.
12 To see if there were any who understood, who sought after God.
They have all gone aside.
They have together become corrupt.
There is no one who does good, no, not one.” # 3:12 Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20
13 “Their throat is an open tomb.
They flatter with their tongue.” # 3:13 Psalm 5:9
“Viper’s poison is under their lips.” # 3:13 Psalm 140:3
14 “Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression.” # 3:14 Psalm 10:7
15 “Their feet run to evil,
and they hurry to shed innocent blood.
16 Desolation and destruction are in their paths.
17 They don’t know the Way of peace.” # 3:17 Isaiah 59:7-8
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” # 3:18 Psalm 36:1
19Now 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 YAHWEH. 20Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21But now apart from the law, a righteousness of YAHWEH has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; 22even the righteousness of YAHWEH through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, 23for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of YAHWEH; 24being justified freely by YAHWEH’S grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; 25whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice,#3:25 or, a propitiation through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of YAHWEH’S righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance; 26to demonstrate YAHWEH’S righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.
27Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29Or is YAHWEH the God of Jews only? Isn’t he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.
31Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.
