Romans 3:19-28

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 

²⁰ Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 

²² This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 

²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 

²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 

²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

²⁷ Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 

²⁸ For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 

Martin Luther's Sermon "ON FAITH AND COMING TO CHRIST"