1 What, then, is the advantage {perisson: extra privilege} of the Jew, or what is the benefit of circumcision {peritome: covenant sign}?
2 Much in every way. First, indeed, for this reason, that they were entrusted with the oracles {logia: divine messages} of God {Theos, Covenant Revealer}.
3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief nullify the faithfulness {pistin: steadfast reliability} of God {Theos, Faithful Promise Keeper}?
4 Absolutely not! But let God {Theos, The True One} be true, and every person a liar, just as it has been written: “So that You may be justified in Your words {logois: what You say}, and You may overcome when You are judged.”
5 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God {Theos, Righteous Judge}, what shall we say? Is God unjust, who inflicts wrath? (I speak according to man {anthropos: human perspective}.)
6 May it never be! For then how will God {Theos, Universal Judge} judge the world {kosmos: all humanity}?
7 But if the truth of God {Theos, Righteous Judge} has abounded through my lie {pseusma: deliberate falsehood} to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?
8 And why not rather, as we are slandered {blasphēmoumetha: falsely accused} and as some claim that we say, “Let us do evil things so that good things may come”? Their judgment is just {endikon: righteous standard}.
9 What then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all, for we have already charged {proetiasametha: formally accused} both Jews and Greeks that all are under sin {hamartian: separation from God}.
10 Just as it is written {gegraptai: permanently recorded}, “There is not a righteous {dikaios: morally upright} person, not even one.”
11 There is no one who understands {synion: perceives deeply}; there is no one who seeks God {Theos, Sought One}.
12 All turned aside; together they became worthless; there is not one who practices goodness {chrestoteta: active kindness}; there is not even one {henos: absolutely none}.
13 Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they keep deceiving {dolioo: practice falsehood}; the poison of asps is under their lips {cheilos: channel of speech}.
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing {aras: pronouncing harm} and bitterness {pikrias: deep-seated animosity}.
15 Swift {oxeis: eager for harm} are their feet to shed blood {haima: violent death}.
16 Ruin {syntrimma: utter collapse} and misery {talaiporia: deep affliction} are in their ways.
17 And the way {hodon: moral course} of peace {eirene: restored harmony} they have not known.
18 There is no fear of God {Theos, Rightful Judge} before their eyes {ophthalmos: moral perception}.
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are in the law, so that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world may become guilty {hypodikos: legally answerable} before God {Theos, Righteous Judge}.
20 For from works of law no flesh will be justified before Him {Theos, Righteous Evaluator}, for through law comes knowledge {epignosis: deep understanding} of sin.
21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God {Theos, Revealer of Righteousness} has been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets {propheton: inspired spokesmen}.
22 But the righteousness of God {Theos, Giver of Righteousness} is through faith in Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Focus of Faith} for all those who believe, for there is no distinction.
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory {doxa: divine perfection} of God {Theos, Universal Judge}.
24 Being justified freely by His {Theos, Gracious Justifier} grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Ransom Redeemer}.
25 Whom God {Theos, Righteous Initiator} set forth as a propitiation through faith in His blood, for the demonstration of His righteousness {dikaiosyne: just character}, because of the passing over of previously committed sins.
26 In the forbearance of God {Theos, Holy Judge}, for the demonstration of His righteousness in the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who is of faith in Jesus {Iesous, Saving Messiah}.
27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. Through what kind of law {nomou: governing principle}? Of works? No, but through a law of faith {pisteos: trust-based dependence}.
28 For we consider that a person is justified {dikaiousthai: declared righteous} by faith {pistis: trusting dependence} apart from works of law.
29 Or is God {Theos, God Of All Nations} the God of Jews only? Is He not also the God of Gentiles {ethnon: non-Jewish nations}? Yes, also of Gentiles.
30 Since there is one God {Theos, Sole Justifier}, who will justify the circumcision by faith {pistis: steadfast trust} and the uncircumcision through faith.
31 Therefore, do we abolish the law {nomos: Mosaic covenant standard} through faith {pistis: trusting dependence}? May it never be! On the contrary, we uphold the law.