⁹ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God,^(A) who raises the dead.^(B)

⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves^(A) to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.^(B)

¹⁷ As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”^[a](A) He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life^(B) to the dead and calls^(C) into being things that were not.^(D)

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

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay^(A) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God^(B) and not from us.

¹⁹ Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead,^(A) and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

⁷ or because of these surpassingly great revelations.^(A) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,^(B) a messenger of Satan,^(C) to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^{(D) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(E) is sufficient for you, for my power^(F) is made perfect in weakness.^(G)”^(H) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight^(I) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,^(J) in persecutions,^(K) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.^(L)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness^(A) and looked down on everyone else,^(B) Jesus told this parable: