Romans 4

1 What then will we say that Abraham, our ancient forefather, shows? 2 If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not to God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was put down as righteousness.” 4 For workers, their wage is not counted as a favor, but as something owed. 5 Even management, who believe in anything that justifies the ungodly, their belief is righteous. 6 Even 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.

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

9 Is this blessing then pronounced only on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? 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, 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. 12 He 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.

13 For the promise to Abraham and to his descendants that he would inherit the world wasn’t through Torah, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of Torah are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made meaningless. 15 For Torah produces wrath; for where there is no law, there can be no disobedience.

16 That’s why it depends on faith, so it may be according to grace, and the promise may be for all offspring, not only those of Torah, but also of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. 17 As it is written, “I have made you a father of many peoples.” And that was in the presence of Abraham, the Believer. God gives life to the dead, and speaks of things that are not, as though they were. 18 Against 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.” 19 Without 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. 20 Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform. 22 Therefore it also was “credited to him for righteousness.” 23 Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, 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.