The Word Brings Salvation

1Brethren, the desire, indeed, of my heart, and my supplication to God in their behalf, is that they may be saved. 2For I testify for them, that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge; 3for, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God; 4for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one who believes.

5For Moses writes that the man who did the righteousness of the law shall live thereby; 6but the righteousness which is of faith speaks thus: "Say not in your heart, who shall ascend up into Heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down); 7or, who shall descend into the abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." 8But 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; 9that if you shall confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and shall believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 10for with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the Scripture says, "Whosoever believes on Him shall not be put to shame." 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the Same One is Lord of all, being rich toward all who call upon Him; 13for, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

14How, then, shall they call on Him in Whom they believed not? and how shall they believe on Him of Whom they heard not? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15and how shall they preach, unless they are sent forth? As it has been written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!"

16But they did not all obey the glad tidings. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who believed our report?" 17Consequently, faith comes of hearing; and hearing, through the word of Christ.

18But I say, did they not hear? Yes, verily, "Their sound went out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the inhabited earth."

19But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says, "I will provoke you to rivalry by that which is no nation; by a nation void of understanding will I provoke you to anger."

20But Isaiah is very bold, and says, "I was found by those who sought Me not; I became manifest to those who sought not after Me."

21But in respect to Israel He saith, "All the day long did I spread out My hand to a disobedient and gain-saying people."