Romans 3

 

1 What advantage then does the Jew have? Or what profit is there in circumcision?

 

2 Great in every way: (but) chiefly, because to them were committed the oracles (the divine utterances) of God (contained in the law and the prophets).

 

3 For even if some did not believe? Could their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

 

4 God forbid: rather, let (us be fully persuaded that the faith of) God is (by virtue of His character inherently) true, but every man (in unbelief considered) a liar; as it is written, so that you might be justified by the word (dwelling) in your heart (which agrees with the testimony of God), so that you might overcome (by the word of that testimony) when you are judged.

 

5 But if our unrighteousness is (exposed as a lie when) set alongside the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust to take vengeance (on death)? {I speak as a man}

 

6 God forbid: for how then shall God judge the world (in righteousness except by the one He raised from the dead)?

 

7 But if the truth of God has superabounded by (and despite) my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

 

8 And why not rather say, {as we are slanderously reported, and some claim that we say}, Let us (continue to) do evil, so that good may result? Their condemnation is just.

 

9 What then? Are we better than them? No, not in any way: for we have proven before that both Jews and Gentiles, that (whether they are with or without the law) they are all under (the dominion of) sin and (animated by the body of) death;

 

10 As it is written (about the Jewish nation, in the Psalms), There is none righteous, no, not one:

 

11 There is none that understands (the way unto life), there is none that seeks after God (that he may find life).

 

12 They are all gone out of the way (unto life), they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good (by looking to God and His strength alone), no, not even one.

 

13 Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they have spoken deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

 

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

 

15 Their feet are swift to shed (innocent) blood:

 

16 Destruction and misery are in their way; (which way seems right to them):

 

17 And the way of peace (and rest) they have not known (where they might cease from their own works):

 

18 There is no fear (or reverence) of God before their eyes (as the one who is able to give them the life their hearts desire).

 

19 Now we know that whatever things the law said, it said to them who are under the law (under the elementary principles in the world which all end in death): so that every mouth (that exalts itself over the wisdom of God to be exalted unto blessing and life) may be stopped, and all the world may be (seen as) guilty against the judgment of God (unto life).

 

20 Therefore, by the deeds of the law shall no one (in dying) flesh be justified (from death and the accusation it brings to their heart while standing) before Him: for by the law (of commandment) the knowledge of sin (brings the sting of death).

 

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is manifested, of which (righteousness) the law and the prophets have (always) given testimony;

 

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ to all and unto all of them who believe (Jew or Gentile): for there is no difference:

 

23 For all have sinned (missing the mark), and fallen short of the glory of God (of the life and bodily immortality He purposed for them from the beginning);

 

24 Being justified (from death) freely by His grace (and strength) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

 

25 Whom God has set forth (to show Himself favorable and merciful towards us) to be a propitiation (relieving us of our suffering at the hands of death) through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness has sent away our death and the past sins, through the long-suffering of God;

 

26 To declare, at this (appointed) time His righteousness (the life He created us for from the beginning): so that He might be (seen as) just (as our Creator to send away our death), and the justifier (the only immortal who is able to remove that injustice) from him who believes Jesus (is the Christ).

 

27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what (manner of) law (is boasting excluded)? Of works? No, but by the law of faith (the law of Christ).

 

28 Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified (from death) by (the) faith (of Jesus Christ) apart from the deeds of the law.

 

29 Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the (God of the) Gentiles? Yes, He is (the God) of the Gentiles also:

 

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify (both) the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision by faith (of Jesus Christ, the law of God).

 

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: instead, we establish the law (of Christ, of which the law was always speaking).