The Word Brings Salvation

1Brethren, indeed the desire of my heart and my prayer to God in their behalf, is for their salvation. 2For I testify to them, that they have a zeal of God, but not according to perfect knowledge; 3for being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one who believes.

5For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, that the man having done this shall live in it. 6But the righteousness of faith speaks thus, Say not in thy heart, Who shall ascend up into heaven? that is, to bring Christ down: 7or, Who shall descend into the abyss? that is, to bring him up from the dead. 8But what says it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach. 9That if you may confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and may believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved: 10for with the heart it is believed unto righteousness; and with the mouth it is confessed unto salvation. 11For the scripture says, Every one believing on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: for the same is Lord of all, rich unto all that call on him. 13For every one who may call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14Then how can they call on him on whom they have not believed? and how can they believe on him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how can they preach, unless they may be sent forth? as has been written, How beautiful are the feet of those, who preach the gospel of good things!

16But they have not all heard the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our report? 17Then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

18But I say, Have they not all heard? Yea, truly, Their sound has gone out into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

19But I say, Whether does not Israel know? Moses first says, I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, and with a nation void of understanding I will anger you.

20But Isaiah is bold, and says, I was found by those not seeking after me; and made manifest to those not inquiring after me.

21But to Israel he says, All day long have I reached forth my hands to a gainsaying and disobedient people.