¹⁶ yet we know that ^(A)a person is not justified^[a] by works of the law ^(B)but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, ^(C)because by works of the law no one will be justified.

⁹ and be found in him, not having ^(A)a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but ^(B)that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

Israel's Unbelief

³⁰ What shall we say, then? ^(A)That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, ^(B)a righteousness that is by faith;

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever ^(A)the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, ^(B)so that every mouth may be stopped, and ^(C)the whole world may be held accountable to God. ²⁰ For ^(D)by works of the law no human being^[a] will be justified in his sight, since ^(E)through the law comes knowledge of sin.

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

²¹ But now ^(F)the righteousness of God ^(G)has been manifested apart from the law, although ^(H)the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God ^(I)through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. ^(J)For there is no distinction: ²³ for ^(K)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ^24 (L)and are justified ^(M)by his grace as a gift, ^(N)through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God ^(O)put forward as ^(P)a propitiation ^(Q)by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in ^(R)his divine forbearance he had passed over ^(S)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 (T)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 ^(U)apart from works of the law.

¹⁸ knowing that you ^(A)were ransomed from ^(B)the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, ¹⁹ but ^(C)with the precious blood of Christ, like that of ^(D)a lamb ^(E)without blemish or spot. ²⁰ He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but ^(F)was made manifest ^(G)in the last times for the sake of you ^21 (H)who through him are believers in God, ^(I)who raised him from the dead and ^(J)gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

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

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, ^(A)we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ^2 (B)He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but ^(C)also for the sins of the whole world.

¹⁸ For Christ also ^(A)suffered^{[a] (B)}once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, ^(C)that he might bring us to God, being put to death ^(D)in the flesh but made alive ^(E)in the spirit,