Romans 3:21-31 (ESV)
21 But now the righteousness[1] of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation[2] by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
[1] δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosunē) righteousness, what is right, justice, the act of doing what is in agreement with God’s standards; the state of being in proper relationship with God… This is closely related to the word translated justified in verse 20: “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” δικαιόω (dikaioō) to justify, vindicate, declare righteous, to put someone in proper relationship with another, usually referring to God’s relationship to mankind, implying a proper legal or moral relationship…
[2] ἱλαστήριος (hilastērios) propitiation, atoning sacrifice; atonement cover, the place where sins are forgiven, a wrath absorbing sin sacrifice that makes peace between God and man and restores right relationship with God.