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God’s Righteous Judgment

¹ Therefore, every one of you^(F1)(C1) who judges is without excuse.^(C2) For when you judge another,^(C3) you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. ² We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. ³ Do you really think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of his kindness,^(C1) restraint,^(C2) and patience,^(C3) not recognizing^(F1) that God’s kindness^(C4) is intended to lead you to repentance? ⁵ Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath^(C1) for yourself in the day of wrath,^(C2) when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. ⁶ He will repay each one according to his works:^{(F1)(C1) 7} eternal life^(C1) to those who by persistence in doing good^(C2) seek glory, honor,^(C3) and immortality;^{(C4) 8} but wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking^(C1) and disobey the truth^(C2) while obeying unrighteousness. ⁹ There will be affliction and distress^(C1) for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;^{(C2) 10} but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no favoritism with God.^(C1)

¹² All who sin without the law^(C1) will also perish without the law, and all who sin under^(F1) the law will be judged by the law. ¹³ For the hearers of the law^(C1) are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified.^{(F1) 14} So, when Gentiles, who do not by nature have the law,^(C1) do^(F1) what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the work of the law^(F1) is written on their hearts.^(C1) Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts either accuse or even excuse them^{(F2) 16} on the day when God judges^(C1) what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.^(C2)

Jewish Violation of the Law

¹⁷ Now if^(F1) you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law,^(C1) and boast in God, ¹⁸ and know his will, and approve the things that are superior,^(C1) being instructed from the law, ¹⁹ and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth^(C1) in the law— ²¹ you then, who teach another,^(C1) don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? ²² You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples?^{(C1) 23} You who boast in the law,^(C1) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? ²⁴ For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.^(F1)(C1)

Circumcision of the Heart

²⁵ Circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.^{(C1) 26} So if an uncircumcised^(C1) man keeps the law’s requirements,^(C2) will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? ²⁷ A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who keeps the law, will judge you^(C1) who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. ²⁸ For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly,^(C1) and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. ²⁹ On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly,^(C1) and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter.^(F1)(C2) That person’s praise is not from people but from God.^(C3)