1What then shall we say concerning Avraham, the first of our fathers, who lived according to the flesh before Elohim called him? 2For if Avraham was justified by works, he had reason to be proud; but not before Elohim. 3For what did the scriptures say? “Avraham firmly trusted in Elohim, and it was counted to him for tzedaka.” 4But to him who works, wages are not considered as a result of compassion, but as that which is due to him. 5And to him who works not, but only trusts in him who justifies sinners, his trust is counted for tzedaka. 6Just as David also said about the blessedness of the man whom Elohim declared righteous without works, 7saying, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are wiped away. 8Blessed is the man whose sins Elohim will not hold against him.”
9Now, therefore, is this blessedness on account of circumcision or on account of uncircumcision? For we say that Avraham’s trust was accounted to him for tzedaka. 10How then was it given to him? By means of circumcision or in uncircumcision? It was not given in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11For he received circumcision as a sign and a seal of the tzedaka of his trust while he was uncircumcised, that he might become the father of all those who trust, though they are not circumcised, that tzedaka might be reckoned also to them, 12so that the father of circumcision is not only to those who are of circumcision, but also to those who walk in the steps of HaEmunah of our father Avraham while he was yet uncircumcised. 13For the promise to Avraham and his posterity that he should inherit the world was not made through the Torah, but through the tzedaka of his trust. 14For if they had become heirs by means of the Torah, then Emunah would have been empty, and the promise made of no effect. 15For the Torah causes provocation; for where there is no instruction, there is no transgression. 16Therefore it is by trust that we will be justified by compassion, so that the promise might be sure to all his posterity, not only to him who is of the Torah, but also to him who is of HaEmunah of Avraham, who is the father of us all.
17As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations,” in the presence of the Elohim in whom you have trusted, who quickens the dead, and who invites those who are not yet in being, as though they were present. 18For he who was hopeless trusted in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; as it is written, “So shall your descendants be.” 19His absolute trust never weakened, even when he examined his old body when he was a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20He did not doubt the promise of Elohim, as one who lacks trust; but his Emunah strengthened him, and he gave glory to Elohim. 21He felt assured that what Elohim had promised him, Elohim was able to fulfill. 22Therefore his trust was reckoned to him for tzedaka.
23That his trust was reckoned for tzedaka was not written for his sake alone, 24but for us also; for He will number us also, who trust in Him who raised Adoneinu Yeshua HaMashi’akh from the dead, 25who was delivered up for our offenses, and arose, that He might justify us.
Coming Soon! We are working daily on translating the remainder of the Brit Khadashah from Aramaic to Hebrew. Check back soon for this chapter’s Hebrew version!
D'var יהוה , The Word of יהוה 