¹³ For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

¹⁹ They promise them ^(A)freedom, ^(B)but they themselves are slaves^[a] of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

³ For ^(A)we are the circumcision, ^(B)who worship ^(C)by the Spirit of God^[a] and ^(D)glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—

¹⁸ Since ^(A)many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.

^6 (A)Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that ^(B)a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

²¹ So ^(A)let no one boast in men. For ^(B)all things are yours,

No One Is Righteous

⁹ What then? Are we Jews^[a] any better off?^[b] No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both ^(A)Jews and ^(B)Greeks, are ^(C)under sin, ¹⁰ as it is written:

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever ^(L)the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, ^(M)so that every mouth may be stopped, and ^(N)the whole world may be held accountable to God.

¹⁷ But if you call yourself a Jew and ^(A)rely on the law and boast in God ¹⁸ and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; ¹⁹ and if you are sure that you yourself are ^(B)a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law ^(C)the embodiment of ^(D)knowledge and truth— ^21 (E)you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? ²² You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you ^(F)rob temples? ²³ You who ^(G)boast in the law ^(H)dishonor God by breaking the law. ²⁴ For, ^(I)as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed ^(J)among the Gentiles because of you.”

²⁵ For circumcision indeed is of value ^(K)if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.

^23 (A)“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ^(B)you tithe mint and dill and ^(C)cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: ^(D)justice and mercy and faithfulness. ^(E)These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.