Romans 4:13-22

Christian Standard Bible

The Promise Granted through Faith

¹³ For the promise to Abraham^(A) or to his descendants that he would inherit the world^(B) was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. ¹⁴ If those who are of the law are heirs,^(C) faith is made empty and the promise nullified, ¹⁵ because the law produces wrath.^(D) And where there is no law,^(E) there is no transgression.

¹⁶ This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace,^(F) to guarantee it to all the descendants^(G)—not only to the one who is of the law^[a] but also to the one who is of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations^[b](H)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed,the one who gives life to the dead^(I) and calls^(J) things into existence that do not exist.^{(K) 18} He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations^[c](L) according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.^{[d](M) 19} He did not weaken in faith when he considered^[e] his own body to be already dead^(N) (since he was about a hundred years old)^(O) and also the deadness of Sarah’s womb.^{(P) 20} He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,^{(Q) 21} because he was fully convinced^(R) that what God had promised, he was also able to do.^{(S) 22} Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness.^[f](T)