Romans 2:25-3:18

English Standard Version

²⁵For circumcision indeed is of value ^(A)if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. ²⁶So, if ^(B)a man who is uncircumcised keeps ^(C)the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded^[a] as circumcision? ²⁷Then 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. ²⁸For ^(F)no one is a Jew ^(G)who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. ²⁹But 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.

God's Righteousness Upheld

3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? ²Much in every way. To begin with, ^(K)the Jews were entrusted with ^(L)the oracles of God. ³^(M)What if some were unfaithful? ^(N)Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? ⁴By no means! ^(O)Let God be true though ^(P)every one were a liar, as it is written,

^(Q)“That you may be justified in your words,
and prevail when you ^(R)are judged.”

⁵But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict ^(S)wrath on us? (^(T)I speak in a human way.) ⁶By no means! For then how could ^(U)God judge the world? ⁷But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, ^(V)why am I still being condemned as a sinner? ⁸And why not ^(W)do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

No One Is Righteous

⁹What then? Are we Jews^[d] any better off?^[e] No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both ^(X)Jews and ^(Y)Greeks, are ^(Z)under sin, ¹⁰as it is written:

^(AA)“None is righteous, no, not one;
¹¹    no one understands;
    no one seeks for God.
¹²All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
    no one does good,
    not even one.”
¹³^(AB)“Their throat is ^(AC)an open grave;
    they use their tongues to deceive.”
^(AD)“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
¹⁴    ^(AE)“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
¹⁵^(AF)“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
¹⁶    in their paths are ruin and misery,
¹⁷and ^(AG)the way of peace they have not known.”
¹⁸    ^(AH)“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”