Chapter 10

Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God is in their behalf unto their salvation.

For I bear them witness that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge;

for, ignorant of the justice of God and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to the justice of God.

For Christ is the consummation of the Law unto justice for everyone who believes. This Justice Comes through Faith

For Moses wrote that the man who does that justice which is of the Law shall live by it.

But the justice that is of faith says, "Do not say in thy heart: Who shall ascend into heaven?" (that is, to bring down Christ);

"or, Who shall descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring up Christ from the dead).

But what does it say? "The word is near thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart" (that is, the word of faith, which we preach).

For if thou confess with thy mouth that Jesus is the Lord, and believe in thy heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart a man believes unto justice, and with the mouth profession of faith is made unto salvation.

For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in him shall not be disappointed."

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for there is the same Lord of all, rich towards all who call upon him.

"For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Refusal to Believe the Gospel

How then are they to call upon him in whom they have not believed? But how are they to believe him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear, if no one preaches?

And how are men to preach unless they be sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace; Of those who bring glad tidings of good things! "

But all did not obey the gospel. For Isaias says, "Lord, who has believed our report? "

Faith then depends on hearing, and hearing on the word of Christ.

But I say: Have they not heard? Yes, indeed, "Their voice has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."

But I say: Has not Israel known? First of all, Moses says, "I will provoke you to jealousy of those who are not a nation; I will stir you to anger against a senseless nation."

Then Isaias dares to say, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I appeared openly to those who made no inquiry of me."

But to Israel he says, "All the day long I stretched out my hand to a people unbelieving and contradicting."