²⁰ No mere mortal, you see, can be declared to be in the right before God on the basis of the works of the law. What you get through the law is the knowledge of sin.

The unveiling of God’s covenant justice

²¹ But now, quite apart from the law (though the law and the prophets bore witness to it), God’s covenant justice has been displayed. ²² God’s covenant justice comes into operation through the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah, for the benefit of all who have faith. For there is no distinction: