⁴ But when ^(A)the kindness and the love of ^(B)God our Savior toward man appeared, ^5 (C)not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through ^(D)the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ^6 (E)whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace ^(F)we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

⁴ Now ^(A)to him who works, the wages are not counted ^[a]as grace but as debt.

David Celebrates the Same Truth

⁵ But to him who ^(B)does not work but believes on Him who justifies ^(C)the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, ⁶ just as David also ^(D)describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

⁶ And ^(A)if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. ^[a]But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.