Romans 4:17-19

Expanded Bible

¹⁷ As it is written in the Scriptures: “I ·am making [^Lhave made] you a father of many nations [Gen. 17:5].” This is true ·before [in the presence of] God, the God Abraham believed, the God who gives life to the dead and who ·creates something out of nothing [^Lcalls things that did not exist into existence].

¹⁸ ·Though there was no hope that Abraham would have children [or When all seemed hopeless; ^LAgainst hope…], Abraham believed God and continued hoping, and so he became the father of many nations [Gen. 17:5]. As God told him, “·Your descendants also will be too many to count [^LSo shall your seed/offspring be; Gen. 15:5].” ¹⁹ Abraham was almost a hundred years old, ·much past the age for having children [^Lhis own body (as good as) dead], and ·Sarah could not have children [^LSarah’s womb was dead]. Abraham ·thought about all [considered; or acknowledged] this, but his faith in God did not become weak.