The Whole World Guilty before God

9 What then? Are we any better? k Not at all! For we have previously charged that both Jews l and Gentiles m n are all under sin, o p 10 as it is written: q

There is no one righteous, not even one.

11 There is no one who understands;

there is no one who seeks God.

12 All have turned away;

all alike have become useless.

There is no one who does what is good,

not even one. r s

13 Their throat is an open grave;

they deceive with their tongues. t u

Vipers’ venom is under their lips. v w

14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. x y

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 ruin and wretchedness are in their paths,

17 and the path of peace they have not known. z a

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. b c

19 Now we know that whatever the law says d speaks to those who are subject to the law, e f so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment. g h 20 For no one will be * justified i in His sight by the works of the law, j because the knowledge of sin comes through the law. k

God’s Righteousness through Faith

21 But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed l—attested by the Law and the Prophets m n 22—that is, God’s righteousness through faith o in Jesus Christ, p q to all who believe, r since there is no distinction. s 23 For all have sinned t and fall short of the u glory of God.