Romans — Chapter 4

1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has discovered?

2If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God.

3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

4Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation.

5However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.

6And David speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7“Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

8Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

9Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.

10In what context was it credited? Was it after his circumcision, or before? It was not after, but before.

11And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

12And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

13For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

14For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,

15because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

17As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.

18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”

19Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb.

20Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

21being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.

22This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

23Now the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham,

24but also for us, to whom righteousness will be credited—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

25He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.

1What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

12And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

18Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:

20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh?

2For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God.

3For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

4Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.

5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.

6Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works,

7[saying], Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.

8Blessed is the man to whom, the Lord will not reckon sin.

9Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.

10How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision:

11and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;

12and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision.

13For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.

14For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect:

15for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

16For this cause [it is] of faith, that [it may be] according to grace; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

17(as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.

18Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah`s womb;

20yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,

21and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;

24but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

25who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.

1What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter?

2For if Abraham was declared righteous by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God.

3For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

4Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation.

5But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness.

6So even David himself speaks regarding the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;

8blessed is the one against whom the Lord will never count sin.”

9Is this blessedness then for the circumcision or also for the uncircumcision? For we say, “faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.”

10How then was it credited to him? Was he circumcised at the time, or not? No, he was not circumcised but uncircumcised!

11And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, so that he would become the father of all those who believe but have never been circumcised, that they too could have righteousness credited to them.

12And he is also the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham possessed when he was still uncircumcised.

13For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not fulfilled through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

14For if they become heirs by the law, faith is empty and the promise is nullified.

15For the law brings wrath, because where there is no law there is no transgression either.

16For this reason it is by faith so that it may be by grace, with the result that the promise may be certain to all the descendants—not only to those who are under the law, but also to those who have the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

17(as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”). He is our father in the presence of God whom he believed—the God who makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as though they already do.

18Against hope Abraham believed in hope with the result that he became the father of many nations according to the pronouncement, “so will your descendants be.”

19Without being weak in faith, he considered his own body as dead (because he was about one hundred years old) and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

20He did not waver in unbelief about the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.

21He was fully convinced that what God promised he was also able to do.

22So indeed it was credited to Abraham as righteousness.

23But the statement it was credited to him was not written only for Abraham’s sake,

24but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

25He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.

1What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh?

2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God.

3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

4Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed.

5But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

6Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,

7“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

8Blessed is the man whom the Lord will by no means charge with sin.”

9Is this blessing then pronounced on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

10How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they might be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them.

12He is the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.

13For the promise to Abraham and to his offspring that he should be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect.

15For the law produces wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.

16For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the offspring, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

17As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.” This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.

18Besides hope, Abraham in hope believed, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So will your offspring be.”

19Without being weakened in faith, he didn’t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

20Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,

21and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform.

22Therefore it also was “credited to him for righteousness.”

23Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone,

24but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead,

25who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.