1 Brethren, indeed my heart's desire and prayer to God for them, is, that they may be saved.

2 For I testify to God for them, that they have a zeal for God; but not according to knowledge;

3 for being ignorant of God's justification, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to the justification which is of God.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for justification to every believer.

5 «Now Moses describes the justification which is by the law, that» 'the man who does these things shall live by them.'

6 But the justification which is by faith speaks thus: Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? that is, to bring Christ down.

7 Or, Who shall descend into the abyss? that is, to bring up Christ from the dead.

8 But what does it say? (The word is near you-in your mouth, and in your heart; that is, the word of faith which we preach:)

9 that if you will openly confess with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord, and believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

10 (For with your heart man believes to justification: and with your mouth confession is made to salvation.)

11 «For the scripture says,» 'No one, who believes on him, shall be ashamed.'

12 Indeed, there is no distinction either of Jew or of Greek: for the same Lord of all, is right toward all who call upon him.

13 «For whoever will call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.»

14 But how shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him, of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear, without a proclaimer?

15 «and how shall proclaim, unless they be sent? as it is written,» 'How beautiful are the feet of them, who bring the joyful message of peace-of them, who bring the joyful news of good things!'

16 «Nevertheless, all have not obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says,» 'Lord, who has believed our report?'

17 (So, then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.)

18 «But I ask, have they not heard? Yes, indeed,» 'Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.'

19 «I ask again, has not Israel known? First, Moses says,» 'I will provoke you to jealousy by that, which is no nation; -by a foolish nation I will enrage you.'

20 «Besides, Isaiah is very bold when he says,» 'I am found by them, who did not seek me: I am shown to them, who did not ask for me.'

21 «But concerning Israel he says,» 'All the day long, have I stretched forth my hand to a disobedient and rebelling people.'