12. Here’s the reason: Whoever sins without having the laws in Moses’ Teachings will still be condemned to destruction. And whoever has these laws from God and sins will still be judged by them.
13. People who merely listen to the laws in Moses’ Teachings don’t have God’s approval. Rather, people who do what those laws demand will have God’s approval.
14. For example, whenever non-Jews who don’t have the laws in Moses’ Teachings do by nature the things that those laws contain, they are a law to themselves even though they don’t have any of those laws.
15. They show that some requirements found in Moses’ Teachings are written in their hearts. Their consciences speak to them. Their thoughts accuse them on one occasion and defend them on another.
16. This happens as they face the day when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge people’s secret thoughts. He will use the Good News that I am spreading to make that judgment.
17. You call yourself a Jew, rely on the laws in Moses’ Teachings, brag about your God,
18. know what he wants, and distinguish right from wrong because you have been taught Moses’ Teachings.
19. You are confident that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in the dark,
20. an instructor of ignorant people, and a teacher of children because you have the full content of knowledge and truth in Moses’ Teachings.
21. As you teach others, are you failing to teach yourself? As you preach against stealing, are you stealing?
22. As you tell others not to commit adultery, are you committing adultery? As you treat idols with disgust, are you robbing temples?
23. As you brag about the laws in Moses’ Teachings, are you dishonoring God by ignoring those laws?
24. As Scripture says, “God’s name is cursed among the nations because of you.”
25. For example, circumcision is valuable if you follow the laws in Moses’ Teachings. If you don’t follow those laws, your circumcision amounts to uncircumcision.