Because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20 ASV

What are the works which the Bible speaks of? What is the relationship between justification (righteousness) and the Law before Jesus?

Note the complicated role of the works Law and the Law in Romans 3:20.

While righteousness or justification cannot be attained by the works of the Law, the Law gives knowledge of sin. In other words, if we get rid of the Law we eliminate sin because we will no longer know what sin is without the guidance of the Law.

Since sin is disagreement with Jesus God in any respect in the Law of Moses, the absence of the Law of Moses can only lead us to the lake of fire with Satan (Revelation 21:8).

Without the Law, we will not know that we are sinning if we are not resting on the 7th day of rest (sabbath) as a commandment of Jesus God and as a memorial of His creative works.

Keeping the 7th day sabbath cannot justify or make us righteous if it would be a work of the Law, but not keeping it makes us sinners and God does not listen to sinners (John 9:31) because Leviticus 20:7 commands us to become holy or righteous on our own because Jesus God is holy.

1 Peter 1:15-16 picks up on the requirement for self-sanctification (holiness) in the New Testament.

However, the disguised deacons (ministers) of Satan keep trumpeting that grace takes care of the commandment of holiness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) mistaking of misinterpreting the phrase 'salvation is a gift'.

The New Testament position on the works of the Law

Romans 3:20 ASV
because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:27 ASV
Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith.

Romans 3:28 ASV
We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Galatians 2:16 ASV
yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:2 ASV
This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:5 ASV
He therefore that supplieth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:10 ASV
For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.