¹⁵ And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.^(A)

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)

¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate^(A) those who through faith and patience^(B) inherit what has been promised.^(C)

⁷ but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers^(A) and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.

² But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord,^(A) what can you give me since I remain childless^(B) and the one who will inherit^[a] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?^(C)” ³ And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant^(D) in my household^(E) will be my heir.”

⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.^(F)” ⁵ He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars^(G)—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring^[b] be.”^(H)

⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.^(I)

The Lord’s Answer

² Then the Lord replied:

² Sarah became pregnant and bore a son^(A) to Abraham in his old age,^(B) at the very time God had promised him.^{(C) 3} Abraham gave the name Isaac^[a](D) to the son Sarah bore him. ⁴ When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him,^(E) as God commanded him. ⁵ Abraham was a hundred years old^(F) when his son Isaac was born to him.

⁶ Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter,^(G) and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” ⁷ And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”^(H)

¹⁶ I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her.^(A) I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations;^(B) kings of peoples will come from her.”

¹⁷ Abraham fell facedown;^(C) he laughed^(D) and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old?^(E) Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”^(F)