What shall we say then that Abraham ^aour father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? ²For if Abraham were ^bjustified by works, he hath ^cwhereof to glory; ^dbut not before God. ³For what saith the scripture? ^eAbraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. ⁴Now ^fto him that worketh is the reward not ^greckoned of grace, but of debt. ⁵But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, ^hhis faith is ^gcounted for righteousness.

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Footnotes

aver. 16. Isai. 51:2. See Matt. 3:9.
bch. 3:28.
cSo ch. 3:27 (Gk.). See ch. 2:17.
dComp. 1 Cor. 1:31.
eCited from Gen. 15:6. So Gal. 3:6. ver. 9. James 2:23.
fSee ch. 11:6.
gGk. the same in ver. 4, 5, 6. ch. 3:28. & 6:11. & 8:18.
hch. 3:22.
gGk. the same in ver. 4, 5, 6. ch. 3:28. & 6:11. & 8:18.

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In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

NIVNew International Version (2011)

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed. But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness.

NLTNew Living Translation

Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited according to grace, but according to his due. But to the one who does not work, but who believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness,