Romans 4:1-8

New International Version

Abraham Justified by Faith

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

⁴Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift^(E) but as an obligation. ⁵However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.^(F) ⁶David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

⁷“Blessed are those
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
⁸Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”^[b]^(G)

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Footnotes

Romans 4:3 Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22
Romans 4:8 Psalm 32:1,2

Psalm 32

New International Version

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.^[a]

¹Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.^(A)
²Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them^(B)
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.^(C)

³When I kept silent,^(D)
    my bones wasted away^(E)
    through my groaning^(F) all day long.
⁴For day and night
    your hand was heavy^(G) on me;
my strength was sapped^(H)
    as in the heat of summer.^[b]

⁵Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.^(I)
I said, “I will confess^(J)
    my transgressions^(K) to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.^(L)

⁶Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;^(M)
surely the rising^(N) of the mighty waters^(O)
    will not reach them.^(P)
⁷You are my hiding place;^(Q)
    you will protect me from trouble^(R)
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.^(S)

⁸I will instruct^(T) you and teach you^(U) in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on^(V) you.
⁹Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle^(W)
    or they will not come to you.
¹⁰Many are the woes of the wicked,^(X)
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts^(Y) in him.

¹¹Rejoice in the Lord^(Z) and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Footnotes

Psalm 32:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
Psalm 32:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.

Luke 12:1-7

New International Version

Warnings and Encouragements^(A)

12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be^[a] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.^(B) ²There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.^(C) ³What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

⁴“I tell you, my friends,^(D) do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.^(E) ⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.^(F) Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.^(G)