Romans 2:17–3:8

17  But if thou art named a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast in God, 18  and knowest the will, and discerningly approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19  and hast confidence that thou thyself art a leader of the blind, a light of those who are in darkness, 20  an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law: 21  thou then that teachest another, dost thou not teach thyself? thou that preachest not to steal, dost thou steal? 22  thou that sayest man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23  thou who boastest in law, dost thou by transgression of the law dishonour God? 24  For the name of God is blasphemed on your account among the nations, according as it is written. 25  For circumcision indeed profits if thou keep the law; but if thou be a law-transgressor, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision. 26  If therefore the uncircumcision keep the requirements of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision, 27  and uncircumcision by nature, fulfilling the law, judge thee, who, with letter and circumcision, art a law-transgressor? 28  For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither that circumcision which is outward in flesh; 29  but he is a Jew who is so inwardly; and circumcision, of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Chapter 3

1  What then is the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of circumcision? 2  Much every way: and first, indeed, that to them were entrusted the oracles of God. 3  For what? if some have not believed, shall their unbelief make the faith of God of none effect? 4  Far be the thought: but let God be true, and every man false; according as it is written, So that thou shouldest be justified in thy words, and shouldest overcome when thou art in judgment. 5  But if our unrighteousness commend God’s righteousness, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak according to man. 6  Far be the thought: since how shall God judge the world? 7  For if the truth of God, in my lie, has more abounded to his glory, why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8  and not, according as we are injuriously charged, and according as some affirm that we say, Let us practise evil things, that good ones may come? whose judgment is just.