15. They show that in their hearts they know what is right and wrong, just as the law commands. And they also show this by the way they feel about right and wrong. Sometimes their thoughts tell them they did wrong. And sometimes their thoughts tell them they did right.)
16. All these things will happen on the day when God will judge the secret thoughts of people’s hearts. The Good News that I preach says that God will judge everyone through Christ Jesus.
17. What about you? You call yourself a Jew. You trust in the law of Moses and brag that you are close to God.
18. You know what God wants you to do. And you know the things that are important because you have learned the law.
19. You think you are a guide for the blind and a light for those who are in darkness.
20. You think you can show foolish people what is right and teach those who know nothing. You have the law; so you think you know everything and have all truth.
21. You teach other people. So why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal. But you yourselves steal.
22. You say that others must not take part in adultery. But you yourselves are guilty of that sin. You hate idols. But you steal from temples.
23. You brag about having God’s law. But you bring shame to God by breaking his law.
24. It is written in the Scriptures: “The non-Jews speak against God’s name because of you Jews.”
25. If you follow the law, then your circumcision has meaning. But if you break the law, then it is as if you were never circumcised.
26. The non-Jews are not circumcised. But if they do what the law says, then it is as if they were circumcised.
27. You Jews have the written law and circumcision, but you break the law. So those who are not circumcised in their bodies, but still obey the law, will show that you are guilty.
28. A person is not a true Jew if he is only a Jew in his physical body. True circumcision is not only on the outside of the body.
29. A person is a true Jew only if he is a Jew inside. True circumcision is done in the heart by the Spirit, not by the written law. Such a person gets praise from God, not from other people.