³⁹ and by him ^(A)everyone who believes is freed^[a] from everything ^(B)from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

²⁰ For ^(A)by works of the law no human being^[a] will be justified in his sight, since ^(B)through the law comes knowledge of sin.

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

²¹ But now ^(C)the righteousness of God ^(D)has been manifested apart from the law, although ^(E)the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God ^(F)through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. ^(G)For there is no distinction: ²³ for ^(H)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ^24 (I)and are justified ^(J)by his grace as a gift, ^(K)through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God ^(L)put forward as ^(M)a propitiation ^(N)by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in ^(O)his divine forbearance he had passed over ^(P)former sins. ²⁶ It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

^27 (Q)Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸ For we hold that one is justified by faith ^(R)apart from works of the law. ²⁹ Or ^(S)is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, ³⁰ since ^(T)God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and ^(U)the uncircumcised through faith. ³¹ Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather ^(A)to be known by God, ^(B)how can you turn back again to ^(C)the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? ^10 (D)You observe days and months and seasons and years! ¹¹ I am afraid ^(E)I may have labored over you in vain.

¹³ For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. ¹⁴ But far be it from me to boast ^(A)except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which^[a] the world ^(B)has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

⁸ For ^(A)by grace you have been saved ^(B)through faith. And this is ^(C)not your own doing; ^(D)it is the gift of God, ^9 (E)not a result of works, ^(F)so that no one may boast.

²⁰ If with Christ ^(A)you died to the ^(B)elemental spirits of the world, ^(C)why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— ^21 (D)“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” ²² (^(E)referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to ^(F)human precepts and teachings? ²³ These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in ^(G)promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are ^(H)of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.