1* Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God on their behalf is for salvation.a 2I testify with regard to them that they have zeal for God, but it is not discerning.b 3For, in their unawareness of the righteousness that comes from God and their attempt to establish their own [righteousness], they did not submit to the righteousness of God.c 4For Christ is the end* of the law for the justification of everyone who has faith.d

5* Moses writes about the righteousness that comes from [the] law, “The one who does these things will live by them.”e 6But the righteousness that comes from faith says,f “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down) 7* or ‘Who will go down into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”g 8But what does it say?

(that is, the word of faith that we preach), 9for, if you confess* with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.i 10For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11For the scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.”j 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him.k 13For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”l

14* But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?m 15And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written,n “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring [the] good news!”* 16But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?”o 17Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.p 18But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for

19But I ask, did not Israel understand?r First Moses says:

20s Then Isaiah speaks boldly and says:

21But regarding Israel he says, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contentious people.”