Romans 4

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

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

2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, 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 does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

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

4 Now to the one who works, the pay is not counted as a gift, but as an obligation.

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

5 But to him who does not work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as 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 pronounces blessing on the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,

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

7 "Happy are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

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

8 Happy is the one whom the Lord will not charge with sin."

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

9 Is this blessing then pronounced on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was credited to Abraham as 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 then was it credited? 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 He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, so that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be credited to them.

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 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.

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 to Abraham and to his descendants that he should be heir of the world was not 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 those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect.

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

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

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

16 For 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 descendants, 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 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.

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 hoped in spite of hopeless circumstances, with the result that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "so will your descendants 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 not being weak in faith, he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and 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 Yet, looking to the promise of God, he did not waver through unbelief, but grew strong through 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 assured 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 credited to him as righteousness."

Therefore this was also counted to him as righteousness.

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

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

24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, who believe in him who raised 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 up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.

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