19 Now we know that whatever (A)the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, (B)so that every mouth may be stopped, and (C)the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For (D)by works of the law no human being[a] will be justified in his sight, since (E)through the law comes knowledge of sin.

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

21 But now (F)the righteousness of God (G)has been manifested apart from the law, although (H)the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God (I)through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. (J)For there is no distinction: 23 for (K)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 (L)and are justified (M)by his grace as a gift, (N)through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God (O)put forward as (P)a propitiation (Q)by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in (R)his divine forbearance he had passed over (S)former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:20 Greek flesh

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) 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;(E) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.(F)

Righteousness Through Faith

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God(G) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.(H) 22 This righteousness(I) is given through faith(J) in[a] Jesus Christ(K) to all who believe.(L) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,(M) 23 for all have sinned(N) and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified(O) freely by his grace(P) through the redemption(Q) that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[b](R) through the shedding of his blood(S)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished(T) 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of
  2. Romans 3:25 The Greek for sacrifice of atonement refers to the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant (see Lev. 16:15,16).