¹⁶ yet we know that a person is justified^[a] not by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ.^[b] And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by the faith of Christ^[c] and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law.^(A)

⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but one that comes through faith in Christ,^[a] the righteousness from God based on faith.^(A)

Israel’s Unbelief

³⁰ What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith,^(A)

¹⁹ Now we know that, whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God.^{(A) 20} For no human will be justified before him by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.^(B)

Righteousness through Faith

²¹ But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets,^{(C) 22} the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ^[a] for all who believe.^[b] For there is no distinction,^{(D) 23} since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;^{(E) 24} they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,^{(F) 25} whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement^[c] by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed;^{(G) 26} it was to demonstrate at the present time his own righteousness, so that he is righteous and he justifies the one who has the faith of Jesus.^[d]

²⁷ Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. Through what kind of law? That of works? No, rather through the law of faith.^{(H) 28} For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.^(I)

¹⁸ You know that you were ransomed from the futile conduct inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.^{(A) 20} He was destined before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.^{(B) 21} Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your trust and hope are in God.

² For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.^(A)

Christ Our Advocate

2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,^{(A) 2} and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.^(B)

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered^[a] for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you^[b] to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,^(A)