The Jews and the Law

17 Now you, if you call [yourself] a Jew; [if you] rely on [the] law and boast in God; 18 [if you] know [His] will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 [if you] are convinced [that] you are a guide for [the] blind, a light for those in darkness, 20 an instructor of [the] foolish, a teacher of infants, [because] you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—21 {you,} then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in [the] law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[fn]

25 Circumcision has value if you observe [the] law, but if you break [the] law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, {will} not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 The [one who is] physically uncircumcised [yet] keeps the law will condemn you who, [even though you have] [the] written code and circumcision, [are] a lawbreaker.

28 A [man] is not a Jew [ because he is one ] outwardly, nor [is] circumcision [ only ] outward [and] physical. 29 No, a man [is] a Jew [ because he is one ] inwardly, and circumcision [is a matter] of the heart, by [the] Spirit, not by the written code. [Such a man’s] praise [does] not [come] from men, but from God.