41 What then shall we say that Abraham , our forefather according to the flesh , has found ? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works , he has something to boast about , but not before God . 3 For what does the Scripture say ? " ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD , AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS ." 4 Now to the one who works , his wage is not credited as a favor , but as what is due . 5 But to the one who does not work , but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly , his faith is credited as righteousness , 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works : 7 " BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN , AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED . 8 " BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE Lord WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ."
9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised , or on the uncircumcised also ? For we say , " FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS ." 10 How then was it credited ? While he was circumcised , or uncircumcised ? Not while circumcised , but while uncircumcised ; 11 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 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 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 For if those who are of the Law are heirs , faith is made void and the promise is nullified ; 15 for the Law brings about wrath , but where there is no law , there also is no violation . 16 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 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 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 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 yet , with respect to the promise of God , he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith , giving glory to God , 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised , He was able also to perform . 22 Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS .
23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 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 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions , and was raised because of our justification .
