Romans 3:9-20

Contemporary English Version

No One Is Good

⁹What does all this mean? Does it mean that we Jews are better off^[a] than the Gentiles? No, it doesn't! Jews, as well as Gentiles, are ruled by sin, just as I have said. ¹⁰^(A) The Scriptures tell us,

“No one is acceptable to God!
¹¹Not one of them understands
    or even searches for God.
¹²They have all turned away
    and are worthless.
There isn't one person
    who does right.
¹³^(B) Their words are like
    an open pit,
and their tongues are good
    only for telling lies.
Each word is as deadly
    as the fangs of a snake,
¹⁴^(C) and they say nothing
    but bitter curses.
¹⁵^(D) These people quickly
    become violent.
¹⁶Wherever they go,
they leave ruin
    and destruction.
¹⁷They don't know how
to live in peace.
¹⁸    ^(E) They don't even fear God.”

¹⁹We know that everything in the Law was written for those who are under its power. The Law says these things to stop anyone from making excuses and to let God show that the whole world is guilty. ²⁰^(F) God doesn't accept people simply because they obey the Law. No, indeed! All the Law does is to point out our sin.

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