King James Bible
"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."
Paul declares as self-evident that observing the Mosaic law cannot make anyone righteous before God. Writing to Galatians tempted to add law-keeping to faith, he emphasizes that divine justification operates on entirely different principles than human merit. Quoting Habakkuk 2:4, Paul provides scriptural proof that righteousness comes through faith, not law-observance. This Old Testament citation demonstrates that even before Christ, God's plan was for his people to live by trusting him rather than by performing works.