Romans 4
Common English Bible
Abraham’s faith was credited as righteousness
4 So what are we going to say? Are we going to find that Abraham is our ancestor on the basis of genealogy? 2 Because if Abraham was made righteous because of his actions, he would have had a reason to brag, but not in front of God. 3 What does the scripture say? Abraham had faith in God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.[a] 4 Workers’ salaries aren’t credited to them on the basis of an employer’s grace but rather on the basis of what they deserve. 5 But faith is credited as righteousness to those who don’t work, because they have faith in God who makes the ungodly righteous. 6 In the same way, David also pronounces a blessing on the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from actions:
7 Happy are those whose actions outside the Law are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered.
8 Happy are those whose sin isn’t counted against them by the Lord.[b]
9 Is this state of happiness only for the circumcised or is it also for those who aren’t circumcised? We say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 So how was it credited? When he was circumcised, or when he wasn’t circumcised? In fact, it was credited while he still wasn’t circumcised, not after he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that comes from the faith he had while he still wasn’t circumcised. It happened this way so that Abraham could be the ancestor of all those people who aren’t circumcised, who have faith in God, and so are counted as righteous. 12 He could also be the ancestor of those circumcised people, who aren’t only circumcised but who also walk in the path of faith, like our ancestor Abraham did while he wasn’t circumcised.
Abraham’s promise is received through faith
13 The promise to Abraham and to his descendants, that he would inherit the world, didn’t come through the Law but through the righteousness that comes from faith. 14 If they inherit because of the Law, then faith has no effect and the promise has been canceled. 15 The Law brings about wrath. But when there isn’t any law, there isn’t any violation of the law. 16 That’s why the inheritance comes through faith, so that it will be on the basis of God’s grace. In that way, the promise is secure for all of Abraham’s descendants, not just for those who are related by Law but also for those who are related by the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us. 17 As it is written: I have appointed you to be the father of many nations.[c] So Abraham is our father in the eyes of God in whom he had faith, the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that don’t exist into existence. 18 When it was beyond hope, he had faith in the hope that he would become the father of many nations, in keeping with the promise God spoke to him: That’s how many descendants you will have.[d] 19 Without losing faith, Abraham, who was nearly 100 years old, took into account his own body, which was as good as dead, and Sarah’s womb, which was dead. 20 He didn’t hesitate with a lack of faith in God’s promise, but he grew strong in faith and gave glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised. 22 Therefore, it was credited to him as righteousness.
23 But the scripture that says it was credited to him[e] wasn’t written only for Abraham’s sake. 24 It was written also for our sake, because it is going to be credited to us too. It will be credited to those of us who have faith in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was handed over because of our mistakes, and he was raised to meet the requirements of righteousness for us.
Romans 4
New American Standard Bible 1995
Justification by Faith Evidenced in Old Testament
4 What then shall we say that Abraham, [a]our forefather (A)according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified [b]by works, he has something to boast about, but (B)not [c]before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “(C)Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who (D)works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but (E)believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “(F)Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven,
And whose sins have been covered.
8 “(G)Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not (H)take into account.”
9 Is this blessing then on [d](I)the circumcised, or on [e]the uncircumcised also? For (J)we say, “(K)Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it credited? While he was [f]circumcised, or [g]uncircumcised? Not while [h]circumcised, but while [i]uncircumcised; 11 and he (L)received the sign of circumcision, (M)a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [j]he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be (N)the father of (O)all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which [k]he had while uncircumcised.
13 For (P)the promise to Abraham or to his [l]descendants (Q)that he would be heir of the world was not [m]through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For (R)if those who are [n]of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; 15 for (S)the Law brings about wrath, but (T)where there is no law, there also is no violation.
16 For this reason it is [o]by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with (U)grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to (V)all the [p]descendants, not only to [q]those who are of the Law, but also to [r](W)those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is (X)the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, “(Y)A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, (Z)who gives life to the dead and [s](AA)calls into being (AB)that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become (AC)a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “(AD)So shall your [t]descendants be.” 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now (AE)as good as dead since (AF)he was about a hundred years old, and (AG)the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, (AH)giving glory to God, 21 and (AI)being fully assured that (AJ)what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore (AK)it was also credited to him as righteousness. 23 Now (AL)not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those (AM)who believe in Him who (AN)raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was (AO)delivered over because of our transgressions, and was (AP)raised because of our justification.
Footnotes
- Romans 4:1 Or our forefather, has found according to the flesh
- Romans 4:2 Lit out of
- Romans 4:2 Lit toward
- Romans 4:9 Lit circumcision
- Romans 4:9 Lit uncircumcision
- Romans 4:10 Lit in circumcision
- Romans 4:10 Lit in uncircumcision
- Romans 4:10 Lit in circumcision
- Romans 4:10 Lit in uncircumcision
- Romans 4:11 Lit was in uncircumcision
- Romans 4:12 Lit was in uncircumcision
- Romans 4:13 Lit seed
- Romans 4:13 Or through law
- Romans 4:14 Or of law
- Romans 4:16 Or out of
- Romans 4:16 Lit seed
- Romans 4:16 Lit that which is
- Romans 4:16 Lit that which is
- Romans 4:17 Lit calls the things which do not exist as existing
- Romans 4:18 Lit seed
Romans 4
King James Version
4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 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.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
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:
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.
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.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, 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,
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.
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.
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 Sarah's womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 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;
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;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Romans 4
International Children’s Bible
The Example of Abraham
4 So what can we say about Abraham,[a] the father of our people? What did he learn about faith? 2 If Abraham was made right by the things he did, then he had a reason to brag. But he could not brag before God. 3 The Scripture says, “Abraham believed God. And that faith made him right with God.”[b]
4 When a person works, his pay is not given to him as a gift. He earns the pay he gets. 5 But a person cannot do any work that will make him right with God. So he must trust in God. Then God accepts his faith, and that makes him right with God. God is the One who can make even those who are evil right in his sight. 6 David said the same thing. He said that a person is truly blessed when God does not look at what he has done but accepts him as good:
7 “Happy are they
whose sins are forgiven,
whose wrongs are pardoned.
8 Happy is the person
whom the Lord does not consider guilty.” Psalm 32:1-2
9 Is this blessing only for those who are circumcised? Or is it also for those who are not circumcised? We have already said that God accepted Abraham’s faith, and that faith made him right with God. 10 So how did this happen? Did God accept Abraham before or after he was circumcised? God accepted him before his circumcision. 11 Abraham was circumcised later to show that God accepted him. His circumcision was proof that he was right with God through faith before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the father of all those who believe but are not circumcised. He is the father of all believers who are accepted as being right with God. 12 And Abraham is also the father of those who have been circumcised. But it is not their circumcision that makes him their father. He is their father only if they live following the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
God Keeps His Promise
13 Abraham[c] and his descendants received the promise that they would get the whole world. But Abraham did not receive that promise through the law. He received it because he was right with God through his faith. 14 If people could receive what God promised by following the law, then faith is worthless. And God’s promise to Abraham is worthless, 15 because the law can only bring God’s anger. But if there is no law, then there is nothing to disobey.
16 So people receive God’s promise by having faith. This happens so that the promise can be a free gift. And if the promise is a free gift, then all of Abraham’s children can have that promise. The promise is not only for those people that live under the law of Moses. It is for anyone who lives with faith like Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written in the Scriptures: “I am making you a father of many nations.”[d] This is true before God. Abraham believed in God—the God who gives life to the dead and decides that things will happen that have not yet happened.
18 There was no hope that Abraham would have children. But Abraham believed God and continued hoping. And that is why he became the father of many nations. As God told him, “Your descendants will also be too many to count.”[e] 19 Abraham was almost 100 years old, much past the age for having children. Also, Sarah could not have children. Abraham thought about all this. But his faith in God did not become weak. 20 He never doubted that God would keep his promise. Abraham never stopped believing. He grew stronger in his faith and gave praise to God. 21 Abraham felt sure that God was able to do the thing that God promised. 22 So, “God accepted Abraham’s faith, and that made him right with God.”[f] 23 Those words (“God accepted Abraham’s faith”) were written not only for Abraham. 24 They were written also for us. God will accept us also because we believe. We believe in the One who raised Jesus our Lord from death. 25 Jesus was given to die for our sins. And he was raised from death to make us right with God.
Footnotes
- 4:1, 13 Abraham Most respected ancestor of the Jews. Every Jew hoped to see Abraham.
- 4:3 “Abraham . . . God.” Quotation from Genesis 15:6.
- 4:1, 13 Abraham Most respected ancestor of the Jews. Every Jew hoped to see Abraham.
- 4:17 “I . . . nations.” Quotation from Genesis 17:5.
- 4:18 “Your . . . count.” Quotation from Genesis 15:5.
- 4:22 “God . . . God.” Quotation from Genesis 15:6.
Romanos 4
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Abraham, justificado por la fe
4 ¿Qué diremos, entonces, que halló Abraham, nuestro padre según la carne(A)? 2 Porque si Abraham fue justificado por las obras, tiene de qué jactarse, pero no para con Dios(B). 3 Porque ¿qué dice la Escritura? «Y creyó Abraham a Dios, y le fue contado por justicia(C)». 4 Ahora bien, al que trabaja(D), el salario no se le cuenta como favor, sino como deuda; 5 pero al que no trabaja, pero cree en Aquel que justifica al impío, su fe se le cuenta por justicia(E). 6 Como también David habla de la bendición que viene sobre el hombre a quien Dios atribuye justicia aparte de las obras:
7 «(F)Bienaventurados aquellos cuyas iniquidades han sido perdonadas, y cuyos pecados han sido cubiertos.
8 -»Bienaventurado el hombre cuyo pecado el Señor no tomará en cuenta(G)».
9 ¿Es, pues, esta bendición solo para[a] los circuncisos[b], o también para[c] los incircuncisos[d](H)? Porque decimos: «A Abraham, la fe le fue contada por justicia(I)». 10 Entonces, ¿cómo le fue contada? ¿Siendo circunciso[e] o incircunciso[f]? No siendo circunciso[g], sino siendo incircunciso[h]. 11 Abraham recibió la señal de la circuncisión(J) como sello de la justicia de la fe(K) que tenía mientras aún era incircunciso[i], para que fuera padre de todos los que creen(L) sin ser circuncidados, a fin de que la justicia también se les tome en cuenta a ellos. 12 También Abraham es padre de la circuncisión para aquellos que no solamente son de la circuncisión, sino que también siguen en los pasos de la fe que tenía nuestro padre Abraham cuando era incircunciso[j].
La promesa cumplida por la fe
13 Porque la promesa a Abraham o a su descendencia[k](M) de que él sería heredero del mundo, no fue hecha por medio de la ley, sino por medio de la justicia de la fe(N). 14 Porque si los que son de la ley son herederos, vana resulta la fe y anulada la promesa(O). 15 Porque la ley produce ira, pero donde no hay ley, tampoco hay transgresión(P).
16 Por eso es por[l] fe, para que esté de acuerdo con la gracia(Q), a fin de que la promesa sea firme para toda la posteridad[m], no solo a los que son[n] de la ley, sino también a los que son[o] de la fe de Abraham, quien es padre de todos nosotros(R). 17 Como está escrito: «Te he hecho padre de muchas naciones(S)», delante de Aquel en quien creyó, es decir Dios, que da vida a los muertos(T) y llama(U) a las cosas que no son, como si fueran(V).
18 Abraham creyó en esperanza contra esperanza, a fin de llegar a ser padre de muchas naciones(W), conforme a lo que se le había dicho: «Así será tu descendencia[p](X)». 19 Y sin debilitarse en la fe contempló su propio cuerpo, que ya estaba como muerto(Y) puesto que tenía como cien años(Z), y también la esterilidad[q] de la matriz de Sara(AA).
20 Sin embargo, respecto a la promesa de Dios, Abraham no titubeó con incredulidad, sino que se fortaleció en fe, dando gloria a Dios(AB), 21 estando plenamente convencido(AC) de que lo que Dios había prometido, poderoso era[r] también para cumplirlo(AD). 22 Por lo cual también su fe le fue contada por justicia(AE).
Justificación para todos los que creen
23 Y no solo por él fue escrito(AF) que le fue contada, 24 sino también por nosotros, a quienes será contada, como los que creen en Aquel que levantó de los muertos a Jesús nuestro Señor(AG), 25 que fue entregado por causa de nuestras transgresiones(AH) y resucitado para nuestra justificación(AI).
Footnotes
- 4:9 Lit. sobre.
- 4:9 Lit. la circuncisión.
- 4:9 Lit. sobre.
- 4:9 Lit. la incircuncisión.
- 4:10 Lit. en circuncisión.
- 4:10 Lit. en incircuncisión.
- 4:10 Lit. en circuncisión.
- 4:10 Lit. en incircuncisión.
- 4:11 Lit. estaba en incircuncisión.
- 4:12 Lit. estaba en incircuncisión.
- 4:13 Lit. simiente.
- 4:16 O de.
- 4:16 Lit. simiente.
- 4:16 Lit. lo que es.
- 4:16 Lit. lo que es.
- 4:18 Lit. simiente.
- 4:19 Lit. lo muerto.
- 4:21 Lit. es.
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