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25 For circumcision indeed is of value (A)if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if (B)a man who is uncircumcised keeps (C)the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded[a] as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law (D)will condemn you who have (E)the written code[b] and circumcision but break the law. 28 For (F)no one is a Jew (G)who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one (H)inwardly, and (I)circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. (J)His praise is not from man but from God.

God's Righteousness Upheld

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, (K)the Jews were entrusted with (L)the oracles of God. (M)What if some were unfaithful? (N)Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! (O)Let God be true though (P)every one were a liar, as it is written,

(Q)“That you may be justified in your words,
    and prevail when you (R)are judged.”

But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict (S)wrath on us? ((T)I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could (U)God judge the world? But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, (V)why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not (W)do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:26 Or counted
  2. Romans 2:27 Or the letter