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.

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11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.(A) So then, he is the father(B) of all who believe(C) but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise(D) that he would be heir of the world,(E) but through the righteousness that comes by faith.(F) 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,(G) 15 because the law brings wrath.(H) And where there is no law there is no transgression.(I)

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace(J) and may be guaranteed(K) to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.(L) 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a](M) He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life(N) to the dead and calls(O) into being things that were not.(P)

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations,(Q) just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[b](R)

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Footnotes

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