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16 For this reason it is [a]by faith, in order that it may be according to (A)grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to (B)all the seed, not only to [b]those who are of the Law, but also to [c](C)those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is (D)the father of us all— 17 as it is written, “(E)A father of many nations have I made you”—in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, (F)who gives life to the dead and [d](G)calls into being (H)that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become (I)a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “(J)So shall your seed be.”

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:16 Or out of
  2. Romans 4:16 Lit that which is
  3. Romans 4:16 Lit that which is
  4. Romans 4:17 Lit calls the things which do not exist as existing

16 For this reason, the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace and may be guaranteed to all of Abraham’s descendants—not only to the one who is a descendant by law, but also to the one who has the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a]

Abraham’s Faith Was a Firm Trust in God’s Promise

In the presence of God, Abraham believed him who makes the dead alive and calls non-existing things so that they exist.[b] 18 Hoping beyond what he could expect, he believed that he would become the father of many nations, just as he was told: “This is how many your descendants will be.”[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 4:17 Genesis 17:5
  2. Romans 4:17 Or speaks of non-existing things as though they exist
  3. Romans 4:18 Genesis 15:5