The Jew Is Condemned by the Law

17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and (A)rely [a]upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and [b](B)approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a [c]corrector of the foolish, a teacher of [d]the immature, having in the Law (C)the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, (D)who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who [e]preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you (E)rob temples? 23 You who (F)boast [f]in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For “(G)the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles (H)because of you,” just as it is written.

25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you (I)practice [g]the Law; but if you are a transgressor [h]of the Law, (J)your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 (K)So if (L)the [i]uncircumcised man (M)keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 And (N)he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not (O)judge you who [j]though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor [k]of the Law? 28 For (P)he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But (Q)he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and (R)circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the (S)Spirit, not by the letter; (T)and his praise is not from men, but from God.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:17 Or upon law
  2. Romans 2:18 Or distinguish between the things which differ
  3. Romans 2:20 Or instructor
  4. Romans 2:20 Lit infants
  5. Romans 2:21 Or proclaim
  6. Romans 2:23 Or in law
  7. Romans 2:25 Or law
  8. Romans 2:25 Or of law
  9. Romans 2:26 Lit uncircumcision
  10. Romans 2:27 Lit through the letter
  11. Romans 2:27 Or of law

The Jews and the Law

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;(A) 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?(B) 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?(C) 23 You who boast in the law,(D) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[a](E)

25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law,(F) but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.(G) 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements,(H) will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?(I) 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you(J) who, even though you have the[b] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,(K) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.(L) 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,(M) by the Spirit,(N) not by the written code.(O) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.(P)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:24 Isaiah 52:5 (see Septuagint); Ezek. 36:20,22
  2. Romans 2:27 Or who, by means of a