Whatthen?Are we betterthan they? Not at all;for we have already chargedthat bothJewsand Greeksare allundersin;
But the Scripturehas shutup everyoneundersin,sothat the promiseby faithin JesusChristmight be givento thosewho believe.
Whatthen?Shall we sinbecausewe are not underlawbut undergrace?May it neverbe!
"Who say,Keepto yourself, do not comenearme, For I am holierthan you!' Theseare smokein My nostrils,A firethat burnsallthe day.
For Godhas shutup allin disobediencesothat He may show mercyto all.
Nowwe knowthat whateverthe Lawsays,it speaksto thosewho are underthe Law,sothat everymouthmay be closedand allthe worldmay becomeaccountableto God;
Whatthen?Onlythat in everyway,whetherin pretenseorin truth,Christis proclaimed;and in thisI rejoice.Yes,and I will rejoice,
For as manyas are of the worksof the Laware undera curse;for it is written,"CURSEDIS EVERYONEWHODOES NOT ABIDEBY ALL THINGSWRITTENIN THE BOOKOF THE LAW,TO PERFORMTHEM."
Whatis [the outcome] then?I will praywith the spiritand I will praywith the mindalso;I will singwith the spiritand I will singwith the mindalso.
Whatdo I meanthen?That a thing sacrificed to idolsis anything,orthat an idolis anything?
For whoregards you as superior?Whatdo you havethat you did not receive?And ifyou did receiveit, whydo you boastas ifyou had not receivedit?
Whatthen?WhatIsraelis seeking,it has not obtained,but those who were chosenobtainedit, and the restwere hardened;
But ifour unrighteousnessdemonstratesthe righteousnessof God,whatshall we say?The Godwho inflictswrathis not unrighteous,is He? (I am speakingin humanterms.)
For the wrathof Godis revealedfrom heavenagainstallungodlinessand unrighteousnessof menwho suppressthe truthin unrighteousness,
Nowwhen the Phariseewho had invitedHim sawthis, he saidto himself,"Ifthis manwere a prophetHe would knowwhoand what sort of personthiswomanis whois touchingHim, that she is a sinner."
Whocan say,"I have cleansedmy heart,I am purefrom my sin"?
Thereforeyou haveno excuse,everyoneof you who passesjudgment,for in that whichyou judgeanother,you condemnyourself;for you who judgepracticethe same things.
Thenwhatadvantagehas the Jew?Orwhatis the benefitof circumcision?
For we knowthat the Lawis spiritual,but I amof flesh,soldinto bondage to sin.