4:1  What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?

4:2  For if Abraham received justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

4:3  For what does the Scripture say? " ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND GOD CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

4:4  Now to the one who works, his wage does not credit as a favor, but as something due.

4:5  But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credits as righteousness,

4:6  just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

4:7  " GOD BLESSES THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HE HAS FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HE HAS COVERED.

4:8  " GOD BLESSES THE MAN WHOSE SIN HE WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT."

4:9  Does God bless then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, " FAITH ACCRUED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

4:10  How then did God credit it? While he had undergone circumcised, or while he remained uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;

4:11  and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might designated as the father of all who believe without having undergone circumcision, that righteousness might be credited to them,

4:12  and the father of circumcision to those who not only have received circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

4:13  For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would become heir of the world did not attain it through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

4:14  For if those who consider themselves of the Law become heirs, faith becomes void and the promise remains nullified;

4:15  for the Law brings about wrath, but where no law exists, no violation exists.

4:16  For this reason it comes by faith, in order that it may accord with grace, so that God will guarantee to all the descendants, not only to those who rely on the Law, but also to those who rely on the faith of Abraham, who we designate as the father of us all,

4:17  (as the scriptures read, " 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 existence that which does not exist.

4:18  In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had received reputation, " SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS NUMBER THEMSELVES."

4:19  Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he had become about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb;

4:20  yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,

4:21  and receiving full assurance that what God had promised, He could also perform.

4:22  Therefore GOD ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

4:23  Now not for his sake only did the scriptures say that God credited it to him,

4:24  but for our sake also, to whom it will accrue, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

4:25  He who our transgressions delivered over, and God raised because He justified us.