9:31a
but Israel: Some English translation add the word “that” after but. This word would have the same meaning as the word “That” in 9:30b. It connects 9:31a–b to “we should say” as implied in 9:30b. Many languages will not need to repeat the word here. For example, the Berean Standard Bible does not include this word.
Israel: This word refers to the nation of Israel here, not the person of that name. For example:
the people of Israel (New International Version (2011))
a law of righteousness: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as a law of righteousness is ambiguous. The meaning of of here is likely “for,” “as a means to,” or “as promising.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
the law as the way of righteousness (New International Version (2011))
-or-
get right with God by keeping the law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
to follow a law to make themselves right with God (New Century Version)
a law: Paul referred only generally to a law here, but he was talking about Israel so he implied the laws of Moses. It is best to keep it general and let the context suggest what a law refers to.
righteousness: This word has the same meaning as in 9:30.
9:31b
has not attained it: The Greek is literally “did not arrive to/at (that) law.” It indicates that the Jews did not achieve what they wanted when they used the goal of trying to obey the laws of Moses. They could not obey the law perfectly, so they could not become right with God in that way. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
have not attained their goal (New International Version (2011))
-or-
never succeeded (New Living Translation (2004))
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