1. Then what is the advantage of being Jewish? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?
2. Much in every way. First of all, they were entrusted with the sayings of God.
3. So what if some did not trust? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?
4. May it never be! Let God be true even if every man is a liar, as it is written, “that You may be righteous in Your words and prevail when You are judged.”
5. But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God is not unrighteous to inflict wrath, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.)
6. May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?
7. But if by my lie the truth of God abounds to His glory, why am I still judged as a sinner?
8. And why not say, “Let us do evil, so that good may come” — just as we are being slandered and as some claim that we say. Their condemnation is deserved!
9. What then? Are we better than they? No, not at all. For we have already made the case that all—both Jewish and Greek people—are under sin.
10. As it is written, “There is no one righteous—no, not one.
11. There is no one who understands, no one who seeks after God.
12. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless. There is no one who does good—no, not even one!
13. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they keep deceiving. The poison of vipers is under their lips.
14. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
15. Their feet are swift to shed blood.
16. Ruin and misery are in their paths,
17. and the way of shalom they have not known.