Romans 4

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

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

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

For if Abraham had been justified by works, he would have had a reason to boast, but not before God.

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

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

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

Now for him who works, what he is paid is not counted as a gift, but as what is owed.

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

But for him who does not work but instead believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.

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

David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness without works.

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

He said, “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

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

Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count sin.”

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

Then is this blessing pronounced only on those of the circumcision, or also on those of the uncircumcision? For we say, “Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.”

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

So how was it counted? When Abraham was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? It was not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11 And 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:

Abraham received the sign of circumcision. This was a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had already possessed when he was in uncircumcision. The result of this sign was that he became the father of all those who believe, even if they are in uncircumcision. This means that righteousness will be counted for them.

12 And 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.

This also meant that Abraham became the father of the circumcision for those who are not only circumcised but also for those who follow in the steps of faith of our father Abraham before he was circumcised.

13 For 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.

For the promise to Abraham and to his descendants that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.

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

For if those who live by the law are to be the heirs, faith is made empty, and the promise is void.

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

For the law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there is no trespass.

16 Therefore 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,

For this reason it is by faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all of Abraham's descendants—not only to those who are under the law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham. He 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.

as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations.” Abraham was in the presence of him whom he trusted, that is, God, who gives life to the dead and calls the things that do not exist into existence.

18 Who 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.

In hope he believed against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what he had been told, “So will your descendants be.”

19 And 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:

Without becoming weak in faith, he considered his own body as dead (because he was about a hundred years old)—and he considered the deadness of Sarah's womb.

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

But because of God's promise, Abraham did not hesitate in unbelief. Instead, he was strengthened in faith and gave praise to God.

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

He was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to accomplish.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Therefore this was also counted to him as righteousness.

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

Now it was not written only for his benefit, that it was counted for him.

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

It was written also for us, for whom it will be counted, we who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

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

This is the one who was delivered up for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.