1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not according to knowledge.

3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

4 For Christ is the end of the law, that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, »The man who does those things shall live by them.«

6 But the righteousness based on faith says, »Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’« (that is, to bring Christ down)

7 or »Who will descend into the abyss?« (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

8 But what does it say? »The word is near you,in your mouth and in your heart« (that is, the word of faith which we preach);

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his mouth and so is saved.

11 The scripture says, »No one who believes in him will be put to shame.«

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches on all who call upon him.

13 For, »everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.«

14 How then can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher?

15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, »How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!«

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, »Lord, who has believed our message?«

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for »Their voice has gone out to all the earth,and their words to the ends of the world.«

19 Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, »I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation;by a foolish nation I will make you angry.«

20 But Isaiah is very bold and says, »I was found by those who did not seek me;I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.«

21 But of Israel he says, »All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.«