²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!^(A) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.^(B)

²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,^(A) Christ died for nothing!”^[a]

³ Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.^{(A) 4} Christ is the culmination of the law^(B) so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.^(C)

⁵ Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”^{[a](D) 6} But the righteousness that is by faith^(E) says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”^[b](F) (that is, to bring Christ down)

³¹ but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness,^(A) have not attained their goal.^(B)

²⁰ Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;^(A) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.^(B)

Righteousness Through Faith

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God^(C) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.^{(D) 22} This righteousness^(E) is given through faith^(F) in^[a] Jesus Christ^(G) to all who believe.^(H) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,^(I)