11. God judges everyone the same. It doesn’t matter who they are.
12. People who have the law and those who have never heard of the law are all the same when they sin. People who don’t have the law and are sinners will be lost. And, in the same way, those who have the law and are sinners will be judged by the law.
13. Hearing the law does not make people right with God. They will be right before him only if they always do what the law says.
14. Those who are not Jews don’t have the law. But when they naturally do what the law commands without even knowing the law, then they are their own law. This is true even though they don’t have the written law.
15. They show that in their hearts they know what is right and wrong, the same as the law commands, and their consciences agree. Sometimes their thoughts tell them that they have done wrong, and this makes them guilty. And sometimes their thoughts tell them that they have done right, and this makes them not guilty.
16. All this will happen on the day when God will judge people’s secret thoughts through Jesus Christ. This is part of the Good News that I tell everyone.
17. What about you? You say you are a Jew. You trust in the law and proudly claim to be close to God.
18. You know what God wants you to do. And you know what is important, because you have learned the law.
19. You think you are a guide for people who don’t know the right way, a light for those who are in the dark.
20. You think you can show foolish people what is right. And you think you are a teacher for those who are just beginning to learn. You have the law, and so you think you know everything and have all truth.
21. You teach others, so why don’t you teach yourself? You tell them not to steal, but you yourself steal.
22. You say they must not commit adultery, but you yourself are guilty of that sin. You hate idols, but you steal them from their temples.
23. You are so proud that you have God’s law, but you bring shame to God by breaking his law.