God’s Righteous Judgment

1Therefore, every one of youa a who judges is without excuse.b For when you judge another,c you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. 2Now we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. 3Do you think — anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same — that you will escape God’s judgment? 4Or do you despise the riches of his kindness,a restraint,b and patience,c not recognizingA that God’s kindnessd is intended to lead you to repentance? 5Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wratha for yourself in the day of wrath,b when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. 6He will repay each one according to his works:a b 7eternal lifea to those who by persistence in doing goodb seek glory, honor,c and immortality;d 8but wrath and anger to those who are self-seekinga and disobey the truthb while obeying unrighteousness. 9There will be affliction and distressa for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;b 10but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 11For there is no favoritism with God.a

12For all who sin without the lawa will also perish without the law, and all who sin underA the law will be judged by the law. 13For the hearers of the lawa are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified.A 14So, when Gentiles, who do not by nature have the law,a doA 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 lawA is written on their hearts.a Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts either accuse or even excuse themB 16on the day when God judgesa what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.b

Jewish Violation of the Law

17Now ifA you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law,a and boast in God, 18and know his will, and approve the things that are superior,a 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 trutha in the law —  21you then, who teach another,a 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?a 23You who boast in the law,a do you dishonor God by breaking the law?A 24For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.a b

Circumcision of the Heart

25Circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.a 26So if an uncircumciseda man keeps the law’s requirements,b will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who keeps the law, will judge youa who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. 28For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly,a and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. 29On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly,a and circumcision is of the heart — by the Spirit, not the letter.a b That person’s praise is not from people but from God.c