“The Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.” Romans 9:30-32
Many people outside Israel, who formerly did not have the Scriptures, heard the Gospel and attained righteousness through faith in Christ Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. Many in Israel, who had the Scriptures, failed to attain righteousness because they sought to be righteous by their own works under the law rather than through faith in Christ Jesus who kept the law for them and atoned for their sins by His death on the cross.
Grant that I despair of my own righteousness under the law and look in faith to Christ Jesus and His cross that I might be counted righteous and acceptable in Your sight, O God. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]