Thenwhatadvantagehas the Jew?Orwhatis the benefitof circumcision?
Esausaid,"Behold,I amaboutto die;so of what[use] then is the birthrightto me?"
He has not dealtthuswith anynation;And as for His ordinances,they have not knownthem. Praisethe LORD!
For thereare manywordswhich increasefutility.What[then] is the advantageto a man?
For whatadvantagedoes the wisemanhave overthe fool?What[advantage] does the poormanhave, knowing[how] to walkbeforethe living?
"You have said,It is vainto serveGod;and whatprofitis it that we have keptHis charge,and that we have walkedin mourningbeforethe LORDof hosts?
"You worshipwhatyou do not know;we worshipwhatwe know,for salvationis from the Jews.
Greatin everyrespect.First of all,that they were entrustedwith the oraclesof God.
Whatthen?Are we betterthan they? Not at all;for we have already chargedthat bothJewsand Greeksare allundersin;
Iffrom humanmotivesI fought with wild beastsat Ephesus,whatdoes it profitme? Ifthe deadare not raised,LET US EATAND DRINK,FOR TOMORROWWE DIE.
Do not be carried awayby variedand strangeteachings;for it is goodfor the heartto be strengthenedby grace,not by foods,throughwhichthosewho were so occupiedwere not benefited.
