The Word Brings Salvation

1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3For being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted themselves to the righteousness which is of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law, for righteousness to every believer.

5For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, "That the man who doth those things shall live by them." 6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh thus, "Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven, (that is, to bring Christ down) or, 7who shall descend into the deep, (that is, to 8bring up Christ from the dead)" but what saith it? "The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart." This is the word of faith which we preach: that if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, 9and believe in thine heart, that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him, shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference of Jew and Greek: for He being Lord of all is bountiful to all that call upon Him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14But how shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15and how shall they preach unless they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good tidings of peace, who bring the good tidings of good things?

16But all have not obeyed the gospel: for Esaias saith, "Lord, who hath believed our report?" 17So that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18But I say, Have they not heard? Verily their sound is gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

19But I say again, Did not Israel know this? when first Moses saith, "I will move you to jealousy by those who are not a people, I will provoke you to anger by a foolish nation:"

20and Esaias positively affirms, "I was found of them that sought me not, I was made manifest to them that asked not after me:"

21and saith to Israel, "All the day long have I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people."