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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 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. 17 That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.”[a] This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 4:17 Gen 17:5.
  2. 4:18 Gen 15:5.