16. destruction and distress are in their paths,
17. and they have not known the way of peace.
18. The fear of God is not before their eyes.”
19. Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those under the law, in order that every mouth may be closed and the whole world may become accountable to God.
20. For by the works of the law no person will be declared righteous before him, for through the law comes knowledge of sin.
21. But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified about by the law and the prophets—
22. that is, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. For there is no distinction,
23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24. being justified as a gift by his grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus,
25. whom God made publicly available as the mercy seat through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness, because of the passing over of previously committed sins,
26. in the forbearance of God, for the demonstration of his righteousness in the present time, so that he should be just and the one who justifies the person by faith in Jesus.