1What then is the superiority of the Jew? Or what is the advantage of the circumcision? 2Much in every way. Indeed chiefly, for that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3For what if some refuse to be persuaded? Will their unbelief render naught the faithfulness of God?

4May it never be! Let God be true (unconcealed), and every man a liar; as it has been written, That You may be justified in Your sayings, and may overcome when You are judged.

5But if our injustice commends the justice of God, what will we say? Is God unjust who brings forward wrath? (I speak as a man) 6May it never be! For then how will God judge the world? 7For if the truth of God has more abounded through my lie to His glory, why am I also still as a sinner judged? 8And not, as we are evil spoken of, and as some assert us to say—Let us do evil things, that the good things might come? Their condemnation is just.

9What then? Are we better? Not at all! For we have already accused both Jews and Greeks all to be under sin.

10As it has been written, There is none righteous (correct, innocent, just, impartial), not even one;

11there is none comprehending (putting it together); there is none seeking out after God.

12Each and every one have turned away, together they became good for nothing, there is none doing good (kind, useful, profitable), there is not as much as one.

13Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14Of whom the mouth is full of cursing (praying for evil) and embittered harshness;

15Eagerly swift are their feet to liberally shed blood;

16Crushing calamity and miserable hardship are in their ways;

17And the way of serenity (peace, wholeness) they have not known first-hand;

18There is no fear (alarm, reverence, panic, withdrawal from feeling inadequate) of God before their eyes.

19Now we know that as many things as the law says, it says to those in the law, that every mouth may be stopped (fenced in, blocked, closed, obstructed), and all the world may come under judgment (answerable to, liable to) to God; 20Therefore by the works of the law, not any flesh will be justified (defend the cause of, acquit, judicially approve) before the eyes of Him, for through the law is the knowledge (recognition, discernment) of sin.

21But now the righteousness of God apart from the law has been made apparent, being witnessed to (attested to, testified of) by the law and the prophets; 22Even the just approval of God is on account of faith from Jesus Christ, toward all those believing. For there is no distinction; 23For all have sinned (having no share in do to forfeiture for missing the mark) and fall short of (come behind/late and therefore left out of) the glory of God, 24Being shown to be righteous (made justified, acquitted)) as a free gift by His grace (extended favor/kindness) through the redemption (a release effected by the payment of ransom, redeem from) that is in Christ Jesus, 25Whom God set forth as a propitiatory (covering, sin offering, the covering of the ark- mercy seat), through faith in his blood, for the showing forth of His justness, because of the passing over (remission of punishment for, letting go from close beside) of the bygone sins in the forbearance (bearing up, delay, suspense) of God; 26For the demonstration of His justness in the present time, for His being just and justifying those of faith from Jesus.

27Where is the boasting (glorying, exulting) then? It has been excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but through a law of faith. 28Therefore we reckon a man to be justified by faith separate from the works of the law. 29Is He only the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of other ethnicities? Yes, also of other ethnicities! 30Since indeed there is one God who will declare righteous the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through the same faith.

31Do we then abolish (sever, render inoperative) the law through faith? May it never come into being! Rather we cause the law to stand.