God’s Righteous Judgment

2 Therefore, every one of you^[a](A) who judges is without excuse.^(B) For when you judge another,^(C) you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. ² Now we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. ³ Do you think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of his kindness,^(D) restraint,^(E) and patience,^(F) not recognizing^[b] that God’s kindness^(G) is intended to lead you to repentance? ⁵ Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath^(H) for yourself in the day of wrath,^(I) when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. ⁶ He will repay each one according to his works:^{[c](J) 7} eternal life^(K) to those who by persistence in doing good^(L) seek glory, honor,^(M) and immortality;^{(N) 8} but wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking^(O) and disobey the truth^(P) while obeying unrighteousness. ⁹ There will be affliction and distress^(Q) for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;^{(R) 10} but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no favoritism with God.^(S)

¹² For all who sin without the law^(T) will also perish without the law, and all who sin under^[d] the law will be judged by the law. ¹³ For the hearers of the law^(U) are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified.^{[e] 14} So, when Gentiles, who do not by nature have the law,^(V) do^[f] what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the work of the law^[g] is written on their hearts.^(W) Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts either accuse or even excuse them^{[h] 16} on the day when God judges^(X) what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.^(Y)

Jewish Violation of the Law

¹⁷ Now if^[i] you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law,^(Z) and boast in God, ¹⁸ and know his will, and approve the things that are superior,^(AA) being instructed from the law, ¹⁹ and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth^(AB) in the law— ²¹ you then, who teach another,^(AC) don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? ²² You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples?^{(AD) 23} You who boast in the law,^(AE) do you dishonor God by breaking the law?^{[j] 24} For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.^[k](AF)

Circumcision of the Heart

²⁵ Circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.^{(AG) 26} So if an uncircumcised^(AH) man keeps the law’s requirements,^(AI) will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? ²⁷ A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who keeps the law, will judge you^(AJ) who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. ²⁸ For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly,^(AK) and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. ²⁹ On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly,^(AL) and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter.^[l](AM) That person’s praise is not from people but from God.^(AN)