Scriptures

New Living Translation (NLT)

Romans 2
¹⁹ You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.
²⁰ You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
²¹ Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?
²² You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?
²³ You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.
²⁴ No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
²⁵ The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.
²⁶ And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people?
²⁷ In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.
²⁸ For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.
²⁹ No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.