1Brethren , my heart ’s desire and my supplication to God is for them , that they may be saved . 2For I bear them witness 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 unto righteousness to every one that believeth . 5For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby . 6But the righteousness which is of faith saith thus , Say not in thy heart , Who shall ascend 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 saith it ? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth , and in thy heart : that is , the word of faith , which we preach : 9because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord , and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead , thou shalt be saved : 10for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness ; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation . 11For the scripture saith , Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame . 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek : for the same Lord is Lord of all , and is rich unto all that call upon him : 13for , Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved .
Israel's Unbelief
14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed ? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher ? 15and how shall they preach , except they be sent ? even as it is written , How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things ! 16But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith , Lord , who hath believed our report? 17So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ . 18But I say , Did they not hear? Yea , verily , Their sound went out into all the earth , And their words unto the ends of the world . 19But I say , Did Israel not know ? First Moses saith , I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation , With a nation void of understanding will I anger you . 20And Isaiah is very bold, and saith , I was found of them that sought me not ; I became manifest unto them that asked not of me . 21But as to Israel he saith , All the day long did I spread out my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people .