WHAT then shall we say that Abraham our father hath obtained by the flesh? (2)For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath cause for glorying; though not before God. (3)For what doth the scripture say? Abraham truly believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness[53]. (4)Now to him that worketh, the reward is not brought to account as a favour, but as a debt. (5)But to him who doth not work, but believeth in him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned in account for righteousness. (6)As David also describeth the blessedness of that man, to whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (7)"Blessed are they whose unrighteousnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered up. (8)Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will in nowise impute sin[54]." (9)This blessedness then, _is it_ for the circumcision, or for the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousness. (10)How then was it imputed to him? when circumcised, or while uncircumcised? Not when circumcised, but whilst uncircumcised. (11)And he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had when uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all those who believe, though uncircumcised; that to them also the righteousness might be imputed: (12)and the father of circumcision, not to those who are of the circumcision merely, but who also tread in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham, which he exercised while uncircumcised. (13)For not by the law _came_ the promise to Abraham and his seed, that he should be heir of the world, but by the righteousness of faith. (14)For if they who are of the law are heirs, faith becomes vain, and the promise is useless: (15)for the law causeth wrath: for where there is no law, neither is there transgression.