What does the Bible say about faith and law works?

In Romans 9, Paul starkly contrasts the pursuit of righteousness through faith with that of Israel, who attempted to attain righteousness through their works of the law. He underscores that 'the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained unto righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.' This emphasizes the foundational belief that salvation and righteousness cannot be achieved through human effort or adherence to the law, but solely through faith in Christ. Attempts to achieve righteousness through law work are seen as an insult to God, as they diminish the sufficiency of Christ's finished work on the cross.