2 ¹⁷ But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the law and boast of your relation to God 2 ¹⁸ and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed in the law, 2 ¹⁹ and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 2 ²⁰ a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth - 2 ²¹ you then who teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 2 ²² You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 2 ²³ You who boast in the law, do you dishonour God by breaking the law? 2 ^{24 [ Is.52.5, Eze.36.20. ]} For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

2 ²⁵ Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 2 ²⁶ So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 2 ²⁷ Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 2 ²⁸ For he is not a real Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. 2 ²⁹ He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, spiritual and not literal. His praise is not from men but from God.

3 ¹ Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 3 ² Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews are entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 ³ What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 3 ^{4 [ Ps.51.4. ]} By no means! Let God be true though every man be false, as it is written,

3 ⁵ But if our wickedness serves to show the justice of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 3 ⁶ By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 3 ⁷ But if through my falsehood God's truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 3 ⁸ And why not do evil that good may come? - as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.