Letters to the Churches

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.

How then was it reputed? When he was in circumcision or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

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:

And he 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 faith that is in the uncircumcision of our father Abraham.

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.

For if they who are of the law be heirs, faith is made void: the promise is made of no effect.

For the law worketh wrath. For where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

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,

(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.

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.

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.

In the promise also of God he staggered not by distrust: but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God:

Most fully knowing that whatsoever he has promised, he is able also to perform.

And therefore it was reputed to him unto justice.

Now it is not written only for him. that it was reputed to him unto justice,

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,

Who was delivered up for our sins and rose again for our justification.

Being justified therefore by faith, let us have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access through faith into this grace wherein we stand: and glory in the hope of the glory of the sons of God.

And not only so: but we glory also in tribulation, knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience trial; and trial hope;

And hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost who is given to us.

For why did Christ, when as yet we were weak, according to the time, die for the ungodly?

For scarce for a just man will one die: yet perhaps for a good man some one would dare to die.

But God commendeth his charity towards us: because when as yet we were sinners according to the time.