Abraham and David’s Faith Counted as Righteousness

1What then shall we say that Abraham, [†]our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2For if Abraham was justified [†]by works, he has something to boast about—but not [†]before God! 3For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 4Now to the one who works, his wage is not counted according to grace, but according to what is due. 5But to the one who does not work, but believes upon Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN,

AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.

8BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE [†]LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.”

9Therefore, is this blessing on [†]the circumcised, or on [†]the uncircumcised also? For we say, “FAITH WAS COUNTED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 10How then was it counted? While he was [†]circumcised, or [†]uncircumcised? Not while [†]circumcised, but while [†]uncircumcised; 11and 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 counted to them, 12and 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.

13For the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he would be heir of the world was not [†]through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14For if those who are [†]of the Law are heirs, faith has been made empty and the promise has been abolished; 15for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no trespass.

16For this reason it is [†]by faith, in order that it may be according to grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the seed, 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— 17as 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. 18In 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 SEED BE.” 19And 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; 20yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to do. 22Therefore IT WAS ALSO COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 23Now not for his sake only was it written THAT IT WAS COUNTED TO HIM, 24but for our sake also, to whom it will be counted, as those who believe upon Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25He who was delivered over on account of our transgressions, and was raised on account of our justification.