8. Why not say, "Let's do evil things so that good things will happen"? Some people actually lie by reporting that this is what we say. They are the ones who should be found guilty.
9. What should we say then? Are we Jews any better? Not at all! We have already claimed that Jews are sinners. The same is true of those who aren't Jews.
10. It is written, "No one is right with God, no one at all.
11. No one understands. No one trusts in God.
12. All of them have turned away. They have all become worthless. No one does anything good, no one at all." (Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20)
13. "Their throats are like open graves. With their tongues they tell lies." (Psalm 5:9) "The words from their lips are like the poison of a snake." (Psalm 140:3)
14. "Their mouths are full of curses and bitterness." (Psalm 10:7)
15. "They run quickly to commit murder.
16. They leave a trail of failure and pain.
17. They do not know the way of peace." (Isaiah 59:7,8)
18. "They don't have any respect for God." (Psalm 36:1)
19. What the law says, it says to those who are ruled by the law. Its purpose is to shut every mouth and make the whole world accountable to God.
20. So it can't be said that anyone will be made right with God by obeying the law. Not at all! The law makes us more aware of our sin.
21. But now God has shown us how to become right with him. The Law and the Prophets give witness to this. It has nothing to do with obeying the law.