Romans 2:12-26

English Standard Version

God's Judgment and the Law

¹² For all who have sinned ^(A)without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. ¹³ For ^(B)it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. ¹⁴ For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, ^(C)by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the work of the law is ^(D)written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them ^16 (E)on that day when, ^(F)according to my gospel, God judges ^(G)the secrets of men ^(H)by Christ Jesus.

¹⁷ But if you call yourself a Jew and ^(I)rely on the law and boast in God ¹⁸ and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; ¹⁹ and if you are sure that you yourself are ^(J)a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law ^(K)the embodiment of ^(L)knowledge and truth— ^21 (M)you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? ²² You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you ^(N)rob temples? ²³ You who ^(O)boast in the law ^(P)dishonor God by breaking the law. ²⁴ For, ^(Q)as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed ^(R)among the Gentiles because of you.”

²⁵ For circumcision indeed is of value ^(S)if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. ²⁶ So, if ^(T)a man who is uncircumcised keeps ^(U)the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded^[a] as circumcision?