Romans 2:17–29

The Jews and the Law

¹⁷Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;^{k 18}if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; ¹⁹if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, ²⁰an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—²¹you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?^{l 22}You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?^{m 23}You who boast in the law,ⁿ do you dishonor God by breaking the law? ²⁴As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”^bo

²⁵Circumcision has value if you observe the law,^p but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.^{q 26}So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements,^r will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?^{s 27}The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you^t who, even though you have the^c written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

²⁸A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,^u nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.^{v 29}No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,^w by the Spirit,^x not by the written code.^y Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.^z