²⁴ “Son of man, the people living in those ruins^(A) in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many;^(B) surely the land has been given to us as our possession.’^(C)

⁹ So those who rely on faith^(A) are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.^(B)

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law^(C) are under a curse,^(D) as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”^{[a](E) 11} Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God,^(F) because “the righteous will live by faith.”^{[b](G) 12} The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”^{[c](H) 13} Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law^(I) by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”^{[d](J) 14} He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,^(K) so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.^(L)

⁸ By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,^(A) obeyed and went,^(B) even though he did not know where he was going. ⁹ By faith he made his home in the promised land^(C) like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents,^(D) as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.^{(E) 10} For he was looking forward to the city^(F) with foundations,^(G) whose architect and builder is God.^{(H) 11} And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age,^(I) was enabled to bear children^(J) because she^[a] considered him faithful^(K) who had made the promise. ¹² And so from this one man, and he as good as dead,^(L) came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.^(M)

Abraham Justified by Faith

4 What then shall we say^(A) that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,^(B) discovered in this matter? ² If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.^{(C) 3} What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”^[a](D)

⁴ Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift^(E) 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.^(F)