Romans 2:13–25

¹³For the hearers of the law^aa are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified.^{B 14}So, when Gentiles, who do not by nature have the law,^ab do^C what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵They show that the work of the law^D is written on their hearts.^ac Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts either accuse or even excuse them^{E 16}on the day when God judges^ad what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.^ae

JEWISH VIOLATION OF THE LAW

¹⁷Now if^F you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law,^af and boast in God, ¹⁸and know his will, and approve the things that are superior,^ag being instructed from the law, ¹⁹and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, ²⁰an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth^ah in the law—²¹you then, who teach another,^ai don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? ²²You 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?^{G 24}For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.^Hal

CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART

²⁵Circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.^am