1Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
4Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 5Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” Lev. 18:56But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” Deut. 30:12 (that is, to bring Christ down) 7“or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’ ” Deut. 30:13 (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).