Romans 10

1Brothers and sisters, what my heart longs for, and what I ask God for them, is that they may be saved. 2I can vouch for them that they are eager for God, but their eagerness is not guided by real understanding. 3They did not recognize the righteousness of God, and in trying to set up a righteousness of their own, they would not submit to the righteousness that comes from God. 4For Christ is the end of the law, bringing righteousness to everyone who believes. 5Moses writes this about the righteousness that comes from the law: “The person who does it will live by it.” 6But the righteousness that comes from faith speaks like this: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down). 7Or, “Who will go down into the abyss?” (that is, to bring Christ back up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is close to you, on your lips and in your heart.” This is the message of faith that we proclaim. 9If you declare with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and in your heart believe that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved. 10For people believe with the heart, and this leads to righteousness; they confess with the mouth, and this leads to salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12Here there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for one and the same Lord is Lord over everyone, and he gives generously to all who call on him. 13For “all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14How, then, are they to call on him if they have not believed in him? And how are they to believe in him if they have never heard him? And how are they to hear without someone proclaiming? 15And how are people to proclaim it unless they are sent? As it is written, “How lovely are the feet of those who bring the good news of good things!” 16But not all have obeyed the gospel. Isaiah asks, “Lord, who has believed what we have told?” 17So faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

18But I ask, is it possible that they did not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice went out to the whole earth, and their words to the farthest parts of the world.” 19Again I ask, is it possible that Israel did not understand? First, Moses says, “I will stir you to jealousy through those who are not a nation, and through a nation without understanding I will provoke your anger.” 20Then Isaiah dares to say, “I was found by people who were not looking for me; I showed myself to those who never asked for me.” 21But about Israel he says, “All day long I have stretched out my hands to a people who disobey and argue back.”