Romans 4

1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? [a] 2 For if Abraham was set right out of works, he has something to boast about — but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham trusted God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” [b]

4 Now to the one who works, the reward is not counted as a favor but as a debt; [c] 5 but to the one who does not work but trusts on the one who sets right the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness — [d] 6 just as David also speaks the blessing of the person to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

9 Is this blessing then on the circumcision, or on the uncircumcision also? For we say, “Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it counted? While he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. † 11 And he received a sign of circumcision — a seal of the righteousness of the faith he had while uncircumcised — so that he might be the father of all who trust while uncircumcised, so that righteousness might be counted to them as well, [f] 12 and the father of circumcision to those who are not of circumcision only but who also walk in the steps of the faith our father Abraham had while uncircumcised.

13 For the promise to Abraham or to his seed, that he would be heir of the world, was not through law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those of law are heirs, faith has been emptied and the promise nullified; 15 for the law works out wrath, and where there is no law neither is there overstepping. [g]

16 Because of this it is out of faith, so that it may be according to favor, so that the promise may be secure to all the seed — not to the one of the law only, but also to the one of the faith of Abraham, who is father of all of us, 17 just as it is written: “I have made you the father of many nations” — before the God whom he trusted, who makes the dead alive and calls the things that are not as being. [h]

18 In hope, against hope, he trusted, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what had been said: “So shall your seed be.” [i] 19 And not weakening in faith, he considered his own body, dead — being about a hundred years old — and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; [j] 20 but toward the promise of God he did not waver in unfaithfulness; rather, he was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what God has promised he is also able to do. 22 Therefore it was counted to him as righteousness.

23 But it was not written for his sake alone that it was counted to him, 24 but also for our sake, to whom it is going to be counted — to those who trust on the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over because of our transgressions and was raised because of our being set right. [k]