Law and Promise

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse,^(A) because it is written:^(B) Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed.^{(C)[a] 11} Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live^(D) by faith.^{(E)[b] 12} But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them.^{(F)[c] 13} Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,^(G) because it is written: Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.^(H)[d]

²¹ Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly be by the law. ²² But the Scripture has imprisoned everything under sin’s power,^[a](A) so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ^(B) might be given to those who believe.^{(C) 23} Before this faith^(D) came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.^{(E) 24} The law, then, was our guardian^[b] until Christ,^(F) so that we could be justified by faith.