But I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely the justice [due] to me is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God.
For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn't subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through the faith of Yeshua the Messiah, even we believed in Messiah Yeshua, that we might be justified by faith in Messiah, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.
Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.
Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the Torah), what further need was there for another Kohen to arise after the order of Malki-Tzedek, and not be called after the order of Aharon?