¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says,^(A) it says to those who are under the law,^(B) so that every mouth may be silenced^(C) and the whole world held accountable to God.^(D)

¹² All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law^(A) will be judged by the law. ¹³ For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey^(B) the law who will be declared righteous. ¹⁴ (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law,^(C) they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) ¹⁶ This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets^(D) through Jesus Christ,^(E) as my gospel^(F) declares.

The Jews and the Law

¹⁷ Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;^{(G) 18} if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law^(A) are under a curse,^(B) as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”^[a](C)

⁶³ Then, when I make atonement^(A) for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed^(B) and never again open your mouth^(C) because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(D)’”

¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit,^(A) you are not under the law.^(B)

Hagar and Sarah

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law,^(A) are you not aware of what the law says?

²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.^(A) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),^(B) so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law^(C) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),^(D) so as to win those not having the law.