Romans 4

Paul argues that Abraham was justified by faith, not works, and that his faith was counted to him for righteousness before he was circumcised. The promise came through the righteousness of faith so that it might be by grace and be sure to all the seed — not to those of the law only, but to all who share Abraham's faith.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?	What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?
2	For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.	If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about — but not before God.
3	For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.	What does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to Him as righteousness."
4	Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.	Now to one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as something owed.
5	But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.	But to one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.
6	Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,	David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7	Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.	"Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8	Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.	Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."
9	Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.	Is this blessing only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.
10	How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.	How then was it counted? Was it before or after he was circumcised? It was not after but before he was circumcised.
11	And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:	He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness might be imputed to them also.
12	And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.	He is also the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13	For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.	The promise to Abraham and his seed that he would inherit the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
14	For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:	If it is those who follow the law who are heirs, then faith is useless and the promise is nullified.
15	Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.	For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
16	Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might 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,	Therefore the promise comes by faith so that it may rest on grace, and be guaranteed to all Abraham's seed — not only to those under the law but also to those who share Abraham's faith, for he is the father of us all—
17	(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.	as it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom He believed — the God Who quickens the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist.
18	Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.	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 seed be."
19	And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:	He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the deadness of Sarah's womb.
20	He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;	He did not waver in unbelief regarding the promise of God, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God.
21	And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.	He was fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.
22	And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.	And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23	Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;	Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him,
24	But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;	but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead —
25	Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.	He was delivered over for our sins and raised for our justification.