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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.

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

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

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

just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7 s aying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.

“ Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered.

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

“ Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”

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

Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “ Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.”

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

How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;

11 a nd 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;

and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,

12 a nd 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.

and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

13 F or 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.

For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

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

For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;

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

for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.

16 F or 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

For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are 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.

(as it is written, “ A father of many nations have I made you ”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

18 W ho 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.

In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “ So shall your descendants be.”

19 A nd 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;

Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;

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

yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,

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

and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

22 W herefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness.

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

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

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

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

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

He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.