Romans 2:17-24

New International Reader's Version

The Jews and the Law

¹⁷ Suppose you call yourself a Jew. You trust in the law. You brag that you know God. ¹⁸ You know what God wants. You agree with what is best because the law teaches you. ¹⁹ You think you know so much more than the people you teach. You think you’re helping blind people. You think you are a light for those in the dark. ²⁰ You think you can make foolish people wise. You act like you’re teaching little children. You think that the law gives you all knowledge and truth. ²¹ You claim to teach others, but you don’t even teach yourself! You preach against stealing. But you steal! ²² You say that people should not commit adultery. But you commit adultery! You hate statues of gods. But you rob temples! ²³ You brag about the law. But when you break it, you rob God of his honor! ²⁴ It is written, “The Gentiles say evil things against God’s name because of you.” (Isaiah 52:5; Ezekiel 36:22)