What is needed to come out of darkness and see the light?

When I started to read Romans chapter 2 it wasn’t clear to whom Paul is actually talking. From verse 17 I understood that the fictitious dialogue partner of Paul is actually a Jew (as it says: “Now if you call yourself a Jew…”). However, it is not as obvious to whom Paul is talking to before verse 17, since in 2,1 he refers generally to everyone.

Verse 17 to 20 deals with Paul’s perception of the Jews.
Because of their knowledge of the law, they think they can lead the "blind." The blind are those whose eyes are “closed before the law”, the Gentiles. From the perspective of the Jews, the "blind" are not in a position to lead a godly way of life, which is why they need leaders to show them the right path.
He who is blind, lives in the dark and thus in disorientation. Orientation brings the light, and the Jews, according to Paul, are the intermediary to get there.

These three verses attracted my attention as, in the second letter to the Corinthians (which is also written by Paul), he contradicts himself in a way. In these passages he talks about light and darkness, and its connection to the Jews:
Verse 14 and 15 refer to the story of Moses giving the “old law” to the Jewish people. The Israelites / Jews could not see with the eyes and, because a quilt has hidden Moses' face, and thus the Old Testament. Verse 14: “Even today, when the old law of God is read it is as if a cloth still covers it. It is Christ who takes the cloth away.” Paul even goes one step further in verse 15: „…it is as if a cloth covers their hearts and minds”. Thus, not only is the moment of the reception of the Torah openness absent, but so are the hearts of the Jews as they are “locked up” in the darkness.
These two passages are interesting to compare, since in the Romans 2, 17-20 Paul explains why the Jews think the Gentiles are blind, whereas in the Corinthians he states why the Jews are blind. Furthermore, it is interesting to see the different ways of “getting to the light”.
On the one hand the Jews state that a Gentile will be brought to the light by observing the Law, meaning the commandments of the Torah. On the other hand, I found two passages that could support the Protestant’s position of Sola fide (by faith alone) to be saved, which I interpret as getting out of darkness:
Romans, Chapter 4, Verse 5: “But when one does not work, yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.”
Romans, Chapter 10, Verse 9: “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

To conclude, I am aware of the fact that it is critical to interpret two single verses pulled out of the text, since it puts a wall around the passage as if it has no relationship to the rest of the storyline. Still, by reading these verses carefully we understand better the relation to God of the Gentiles; by dependence on God's grace and believe in Him, rather than by obedience to the Law.