12 For all who sin without the lawz will also perish without the law, and all who sin underH the law will be judged by the law. 13 For the hearers of the lawaa are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified.I 14 So, when Gentiles, who do not by nature have the law,ab doJ what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the lawK is written on their hearts.ac Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts either accuse or even excuse themL 16 on the day when God judgesad what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.ae

JEWISH VIOLATION OF THE LAW

17 Now ifM you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law,af and boast in God, 18 and know his will, and approve the things that are superior,ag being instructed from the law, 19 and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truthah in the law—21 you then, who teach another,ai don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? 22 You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples?aj 23 You who boast in the law,ak do you dishonor God by breaking the law?* 24 For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.N,al