Chapter 2

God’s Just Judgment. ^1 [a]Therefore, you are without excuse,^(A) every one of you who passes judgment.^[b] For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. ² We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true. ³ Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?^{(B) 4} Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance?^{(C) 5} By your stubbornness and impenitent heart,^(D) you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God, ^6 (E)who will repay everyone according to his works:^{[c] 7} eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, ⁸ but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness.^{(F) 9} Yes, affliction and distress will come upon every human being who does evil, Jew first and then Greek. ^10 (G)But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, Jew first and then Greek. ^11 [d](H)There is no partiality with God.

Judgment by the Interior Law.^{[e] 12} All who sin outside the law will also perish without reference to it, and all who sin under the law will be judged in accordance with it.^{(I) 13} For it is not those who hear the law who are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law will be justified.^{(J) 14} For when the Gentiles who do not have the law by nature observe the prescriptions of the law, they are a law for themselves even though they do not have the law.^{(K) 15} They show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts,^[f] while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even defend them ¹⁶ on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge people’s hidden works through Christ Jesus.^(L)

Judgment by the Mosaic Law.^{[g] 17} Now if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of God^{(M) 18} and know his will and are able to discern what is important since you are instructed from the law,^{(N) 19} and if you are confident that you are a guide for the blind and a light for those in darkness,^{(O) 20} that you are a trainer of the foolish and teacher of the simple,^(P) because in the law you have the formulation of knowledge and truth— ²¹ then you who teach another, are you failing to teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?^{(Q) 22} You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples? ²³ You who boast of the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? ^24 (R)For, as it is written, “Because of you the name of God is reviled among the Gentiles.”^[h]

^25 (S)Circumcision, to be sure, has value if you observe the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.^{(T) 26} Again, if an uncircumcised man keeps the precepts of the law, will he not be considered circumcised?^{(U) 27} Indeed, those who are physically uncircumcised but carry out the law will pass judgment on you, with your written law and circumcision, who break the law. ²⁸ One is not a Jew outwardly. True circumcision is not outward, in the flesh.^{(V) 29} Rather, one is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, not the letter; his praise is not from human beings but from God.^(W)