¹⁴ For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,^(A)

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

¹⁸ For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;^(A) but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

¹⁹ Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions^(B) until the Seed^(C) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels^(D) and entrusted to a mediator.^{(E) 20} A mediator,^(F) however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!^(G) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.^{(H) 22} But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin,^(I) so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Children of God

²³ Before the coming of this faith,^[a] we were held in custody^(J) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.^{(K) 24} So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(L) that we might be justified by faith.^(M)

²⁸ For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness;^(A) but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son,^(B) who has been made perfect^(C) forever.

¹⁹ (for the law made nothing perfect),^(A) and a better hope^(B) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.^(C)

²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,^(A) Christ died for nothing!”^[a]

¹⁶ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace^(A) and may be guaranteed^(B) to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.^(C)

³¹ Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.