"A reason of the first confirmation, why the promise cannot be apprehended by the law: because the law does not reconcile God and us, but rather proclaims his anger against us, because no man can fully keep it." (Geneva Bible Translation Notes)
"for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation." (NASB)
"Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression." (KJV)
"For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)" (NLT)
"For the law brings wrath, because where there is no law there is no transgression either." (NET)
The Law of God requires perfect purity. Not only so but then it denounces each and every sin. Then the law condemns the sinner and assigns to him the just punishment. There has only been one who lives in perfect purity, the Lord Jesus Christ! All of the rest of us fall short of the mark and as previously said, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." (Romans 3:23) This is of great importance for us to understand because of the unique way that God designed our deliverance. Note the phrase in the New Living Translation "The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!" No law makes provision for mercy to be exercised, it only renders punishment for disobedience.
"A reason of the first confirmation, why the promise cannot be apprehended by the law: because the law does not reconcile God and us, but rather proclaims his anger against us, because no man can fully keep it." (Geneva Bible Translation Notes)
Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave His law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. (Galatians 3:19 NLT)