The Jews and the Law

17 [fn]Behold, yoʋ call yoʋrself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in [fn]God. 18 Yoʋ know his will and approve what is excellent, because yoʋ are instructed from the [fn]law. 19 And yoʋ have confidence that yoʋ yoʋrself are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, and a teacher of children, because yoʋ have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and [fn]truth. 21 Yoʋ then who teach others, do yoʋ not teach yoʋrself? Yoʋ who preach against stealing, do yoʋ steal? 22 Yoʋ who tell others not to commit adultery, do yoʋ commit adultery? Yoʋ who abhor idols, do yoʋ rob temples? 23 Yoʋ who boast in the law, do yoʋ dishonor God by transgressing the law? 24 As it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

25 Circumcision does indeed benefit yoʋ if yoʋ observe the law, but if yoʋ transgress the law, yoʋr circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 If then an uncircumcised man keeps the ordinances of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised and carries out the law will judge yoʋ who, despite having the letter of the law and circumcision, transgress the law. 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is circumcision something outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. Such a man's praise comes not from men but from God.

3 What then is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 Now what if some of them were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 Certainly not! Rather, let God be true even if every man is a liar, just as it is written,

“So that yoʋ may be justified in yoʋr words,

and prevail when yoʋ are judged.”

5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God, who inflicts wrath, unrighteous? (I speak in a human way.) 6 Certainly not! Otherwise, how could God judge the world? 7 [fn]For if through my lie the truth of God abounds to his glory, why am I still being judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say (just as some slanderously claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just.