[1] Brothers, my heart`s desire and my prayer to God is for Israel, that
they may be saved. [2] For I testify about them that they have a zeal for
God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For being ignorant of God`s
righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they
didn`t subject themselves to the righteousness of God. [4] For Christ is
the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. [5] For
Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, "The one who does them
will live by them." [6] But the righteousness which is of faith says this,
"Don`t 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] that if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and
believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
[10] For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture says,
"Whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." [12] For there is no
distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is
rich to all who call on him. [13] For, "Whoever will call on the name of
the Lord will be saved." [14] How then will they call on him in whom they
have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard?
How will they hear without a preacher? [15] And how will they preach unless
they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who
preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" [16]
But they didn`t all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who
has believed our report?" [17] So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God. [18] But I say, didn`t they hear? Yes, most assuredly,
"Their sound went out into all the earth, Their words to the ends of the
world." [19] But I ask, didn`t Israel know? First Moses says, "I will
provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, With a nation void of
understanding I will make you angry." [20] Isaiah is very bold, and says,
"I was found by those who didn`t seek me. I was revealed to those who
didn`t ask for me." [21] But as to Israel he says, "All day long I
stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.