25 For circumcision indeed is of value (A)if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if (B)a man who is uncircumcised keeps (C)the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded[a] as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically[b] uncircumcised but keeps the law (D)will condemn you who have (E)the written code[c] and circumcision but break the law. 28 For (F)no one is a Jew (G)who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one (H)inwardly, and (I)circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. (J)His praise is not from man but from God.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:26 Or counted
  2. Romans 2:27 Or is by nature
  3. Romans 2:27 Or the letter

25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.

28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise[a] from God, not from people.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:29 Or receives praise.

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

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

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 2:27 Or who, by means of a