From Ps. 14:1 or 53:1. Instead of “doeth good,” Paul uses the term “righteous,” thus giving the same sense but in a form that fits more readily into his whole argument on righteousness by faith. This sentence is a summary of all that follows.

 Paul now turns to the Scriptures to prove his charge of universal sinfulness, which he has already made on other grounds. This Biblical evidence particularly emphasizes that even the chosen people share in the universal need for righteousness. The following series of quotations is drawn from Ps. 14:1-3 or 53:1-3; 5:9; 140:3; 10:7; Isa. 59:7; Ps. 36:1. The texts agree largely with the LXX, though with some variations. Paul does not specify where any of these passages may be found, evidently assuming that his Jewish readers were well versed in the OT Scriptures. He uses similarly compounded quotations in Rom. 9:25-28; 11:26, 27, 34, 35; 12:19, 20; 2 Cor. 6:16-18.