Brothers, the desire of my heart and entreaty towards God for them is for salvation. 2 For I bear witness to them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge; 3 for being ignorant of the righteousness of God and seeking to establish their own [righteousness], they were not subjected to the righteousness of God. 4 For the end of the Law is Christ for righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 For Moses writes concerning the righteousness from faith(fulness) that “the person doing these things shall live by them.” 6 But the righteousness from faith(fulness) speaks in this way: ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’—that is, to bring Christ down—7 or ‘“Who will descend into the abyss?”’—that is, to bring Christ up from the dead. 8 But what does it say? “The word is near to you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith(fulness) which we proclaim. 9 Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart it is believed for righteousness, and with the mouth it is confessed for salvation. 11 For the scripture says, “Everyone believing in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction of Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is of all, being rich for all those who call upon him. 13 For “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then might they call upon him in whom they did not believe? And how might they believe of whom they did not hear? And how might they hear without one proclaiming? 15 And how might they proclaim if they were not sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of the one announcing good things.” 16 But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who believed our report?” 17 So the faith(fulness) is from hearing, and the hearing through the word of the Christ.
18 But I say, Did they not hear? Indeed: “Their sound went out to all the earth and to the ends of the empire their words.” 19 But I say, did Israel not recognize this? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of a not nation, with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” 20 And Isaiah is bold and says, “I was found by those not seeking me, I became visible to those not asking for me.” 21 But with regard to Israel he says, “All the day I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
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