Romans 4 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Abraham justified by faith

4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about – but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’[a]

4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7 ‘Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.’[b]

9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring – not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have 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.’[c] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’[d] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’ 23 The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:3 Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22
  2. Romans 4:8 Psalm 32:1,2
  3. Romans 4:17 Gen. 17:5
  4. Romans 4:18 Gen. 15:5

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Romans 4 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

4 What, then, shall we say Abraham our father, to have found, according to flesh? 2 for if Abraham by works was declared righteous, he hath to boast -- but not before god; 3 for what doth the writing say? `And Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him -- to righteousness;' 4 and to him who...
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Romans 4 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

4 What then shall we say, that Abraham our father after the flesh found? 2 For if Abraham is justified of works of the law, he hath glory, but not with God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed to God, and it was areckoned [reckoned] to him to rightwiseness. 4 And to him that worketh ...
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Romans 4 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

4 So what shall we say about Abraham? He is the father of our family on earth. 2 If Abraham was put right with God, because of what he did, he has something to be proud of. But he has nothing to be proud of when he stands before God. 3 What do the holy writings say? It says, `Abraham believed God. A...
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Romans 4 - World English Bible (WEB)

4 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”Genesis 15:...
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Romans 4 - The Voice (VOICE)

4 In light of all of this, what should we say about our ancestor Abraham? 2 If Abraham was made right by performing certain works, then he would surely have something to brag about. Right? Not before the Creator God, 3 because as the Scriptures say, “Abraham believed God and trusted in His promise...
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Romans 4 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

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Romans 4 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Example of Abraham4 What then shall we say about[a] Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 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 reckoned to him as righteousnes...
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Romans 4 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Example of Abraham4 What then shall we say about[a] Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 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 reckoned to him as righteousnes...
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Romans 4 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

4 What, then, shall we say that Abraham, our Father, has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he has grounds to boast. But not with God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now, to one who works,...
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Romans 4 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

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Romans 4 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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Romans 4 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Example of Abraham4 What then are we to say was gained by[a] Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? 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 reckoned to him as right...
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Romans 4 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Example of Abraham4 What then are we to say was gained by[a] Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.(A)3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed[b] God, and it was reckoned to him as ri...
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Romans 4 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

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