Romans 3 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

“THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS,

AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED [by sinful men].”

But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God is not wrong to inflict His wrath [on us], is He? (I am speaking in purely human terms.)

Well then, are we [Jews] better off than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under the control of sin and subject to its power.

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS [none that meets God’s standard], NOT EVEN ONE.

“THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,

THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD.

“ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;

THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NO, NOT ONE.”

“THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE;

THEY [habitually] DECEIVE WITH THEIR TONGUES.”

“THE VENOM OF ASPS IS BENEATH THEIR LIPS.”

“THEIR MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS.”

“THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,

DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,

AND THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN THE PATH OF PEACE.”

“THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD [and His awesome power] BEFORE THEIR EYES.”

Now we know that whatever the Law [of Moses] says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the excuses of] every mouth may be silenced [from protesting] and that all the world may be held accountable to God [and subject to His judgment].

But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets.

Then what becomes of [our] boasting? It is excluded [entirely ruled out, banished]. On what principle? On [the principle of good] works? No, but on the principle of faith.

Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation].