²⁵ Circumcision has value if you observe the law,^(A) but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.^{(B) 26} So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements,^(C) will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?^{(D) 27} The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you^(E) who, even though you have the^[a] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

²⁸ A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,^(F) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.^{(G) 29} No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,^(H) by the Spirit,^(I) not by the written code.^(J) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.^(K)

⁹ Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?^(A) We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.^{(B) 10} Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! ¹¹ And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.^(C) So then, he is the father^(D) of all who believe^(E) but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. ¹² And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.