Romans 4

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 What then can we say that Abraham found, our ancestor according to the flesh?	1 What shall we say then that Abraham hath found, who is our father according to the flesh.
2 Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason to boast; but this was not so in the sight of God.	2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God.
3 For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."	3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.
4 A worker's wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due.	4 Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt.
5 But when one does not work, yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.	5 But to him that worketh not, yet believeth in him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reputed to justice, according to the purpose of the grace of God.
6 So also David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:	6 As David also termeth the blessedness of a man, to whom God reputeth justice without works:
7 "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered.	7 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record."	8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin.
9 Does this blessedness apply only to the circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well? Now we assert that "faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness."	9 This blessedness then, doth it remain in the circumcision only, or in the uncircumcision also? For we say that unto Abraham faith was reputed to justice.
10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was he circumcised or not? He was not circumcised, but uncircumcised.	10 How then was it reputed? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal on the righteousness received through faith while he was uncircumcised. Thus he was to be the father of all the uncircumcised who believe, so that to them (also) righteousness might be credited,	11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the justice of the faith, which he had, being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe, being uncircumcised, that unto them also it may be reputed to justice:
12 as well as the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but also follow the path of faith that our father Abraham walked while still uncircumcised.	12 And might be the father of circumcision; not to them only, that are of the circumcision, but to them also that follow the steps of the faithful, that is in the uncircumcision of our father Abraham.
13 It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith.	13 For not through the law was the promise to Abraham, or to his seed, that he should be heir of the world; but through the justice of faith.
14 For if those who adhere to the law are the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.	14 For if they who are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, the promise is made of no effect.
15 For the law produces wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.	15 For the law worketh wrath. For where there is no law, neither is there transgression.
16 For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us,	16 Therefore is it of faith, that according to grace the promise might be firm 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 you father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist.	17 (As it is written: I have made thee a father of many nations,) before God, whom he believed, who quickeneth the dead; and calleth those things that are not, as those that are.
18 He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "Thus shall your descendants be."	18 Who against hope believed in hope; that he might be made the father of many nations, according to that which was said to him: So shall thy seed be.
19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body as (already) dead (for he was almost a hundred years old) and the dead womb of Sarah.	19 And he was not weak in faith; neither did he consider his own body now dead, whereas he was almost an hundred years old, nor the dead womb of Sara.
20 He did not doubt God's promise in unbelief; rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God	20 In the promise also of God he staggered not by distrust; but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God:
21 and was fully convinced that what he had promised he was also able to do.	21 Most fully knowing, that whatsoever he has promised, he is able also to perform.
22 That is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."	22 And therefore it was reputed to him unto justice.
23 But it was not for him alone that it was written that "it was credited to him";	23 Now it is not written only for him, that it was reputed to him unto justice,
24 it was also for us, to whom it will be credited, who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,	24 But also for us, to whom it shall be reputed, if we believe in him, that raised up Jesus Christ, our Lord, from the dead,
25 who was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification.	25 Who was delivered up for our sins, and rose again for our justification.