Chapter 2

Wherefore, thou art inexcusable, O man, whoever thou art who judgest. For wherein thou judgest another, thou dost condemn thyself. For thou who judgest dost the same things thyself.

And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who do such things.

But dost thou think, O man who judgest those who do such things and dost the same thyself, that thou wilt escape the judgment of God?

Or dost thou despise the riches of his goodness and patience and long-suffering? Dost thou not know that the goodness of God is meant to lead thee to repentance?

But according to thy hardness and unrepentant heart, thou dost treasure up to thyself wrath on the day of wrath and of the revelation of the just judgment of God,

who will render to every man according to his works.

Life eternal indeed he will give to those who by patience in good works seek glory and honor and immortality;

but wrath and indignation to those who are contentious, and who do not submit to the truth but assent to iniquity.

Tribulation and anguish shall be visited upon the soul of every man who works evil; of Jew first and then of Greek.

But glory and honor and peace shall be awarded to everyone who does good, to Jew first and then to Greek.

Because with God there is no respect of persons. Gentiles to Be Judged by the Natural Law

For whoever have sinned without the Law, will perish without the Law.

For it is not they who hear the Law that are just in the sight of God; but it is they who follow the Law that will be justified.

When the Gentiles who have no law do by nature what the Law prescribes, these having no law are a law unto themselves.

They show the work of the Law written in their hearts. Their conscience bears witness to them, even when conflicting thoughts accuse or defend them.

This will take place on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the hidden secrets of men through Jesus Christ. The Jews Transgress the Law

But if thou art called "Jew," and dost rely upon the Law, and dost glory in God,

and dost know his will, and dost approve the better things, being informed by the Law,

thou art confident that thou art a guide to the blind, a light to those who walk in darkness,

an instructor of the unwise, a teacher of children, having in the Law the pattern of knowledge and of truth.

Thou therefore who teachest another, dost thou not teach thyself? Thou who preachest that men should not steal, dost thou steal?

Thou who sayest that men should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou who dost abominate idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

Thou who dost glory in the Law, dost thou dishonor God by transgressing the Law?

"For the name of God," as it is written, "is blasphemed through you among the Gentiles." True Circumcision

Circumcision, indeed, profits if thou keep the Law; but if thou be a transgressor of the Law, thy circumcision has become uncircumcision.

Therefore if the uncircumcised keep the precepts of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be reckoned as circumcision?

And he who is by nature uncircumcised, if he fulfill the Law, will judge thee who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the Law.

For he who is not a Jew who is so outwardly; nor is that circumcision which is so outwardly in the flesh;

but he is a Jew who is so inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart in the spirit, not in the letter. His praise is not from men but from God.