13 Hearing the law does not make a person right with God. People are considered to be right with God only when they obey the law.
14 Those who aren't Jews do not have the law. Sometimes they just naturally do what the law requires. They are a law for themselves. This is true even though they don't have the law.
15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts. The way their minds judge them gives witness to that fact. Sometimes their thoughts find them guilty. At other times their thoughts find them not guilty.
16 People will be judged on the day God appoints Jesus Christ to judge their secret thoughts. That's part of my good news.
17 Suppose you call yourself a Jew. You trust in the law. You brag that you are close to God.
18 You know what God wants. You agree with what is best because the law teaches you.
19 You are sure you can lead people who are blind. You are sure you are a light for those who are in the dark.