Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God?

如此说来，我们的祖宗亚伯拉罕凭着肉体得了什么呢？

这样，那按肉体作我们祖宗的亚伯拉罕，我们要怎么说呢？

这样，那按肉体作我们祖宗的亚伯拉罕，我们要怎么说呢？

那么，从我们的先祖亚伯拉罕身上，我们学到什么呢？

那么，论到在血统（“血统”原文作“肉身”）上作我们祖先的亚伯拉罕所经验的，我们可以说什么呢？

那么，我们说我们肉体上的先祖亚伯拉罕得到了什么呢？

如此說來，我們的祖宗亞伯拉罕憑着肉體得了甚麼呢？

這樣，那按肉體作我們祖宗的亞伯拉罕，我們要怎麼說呢？

這樣，那按肉體作我們祖宗的亞伯拉罕，我們要怎麼說呢？

那麼，從我們的先祖亞伯拉罕身上，我們學到什麼呢？

那麼，論到在血統（“血統”原文作“肉身”）上作我們祖先的亞伯拉罕所經驗的，我們可以說甚麼呢？

這樣，關於那按肉身做我們先祖的亞伯拉罕、我們要怎麼說呢？

那麼，我們說我們肉體上的先祖亞伯拉罕得到了什麼呢？

如是、試問我祖亞伯拉罕依其形軀所得者、何耶、

曰、何以稱之、吾祖亞伯拉罕徒事儀文、有所得乎、

然則我祖亞伯拉罕、我儕可謂其以本身所行者以本身所行者原文作循肉體何所得乎、

即就吾祖亞伯漢而論、若祇憑其本身之智力、亦何所得乎？

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?

What should we say about these things? What did Abraham, the father of our people, discover about being right with God?

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?

What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?

What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh?

What then can we say that Abraham, our physical ancestor, has found?

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter?

What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh?

So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.

Yes, think about Abraham, your ancestor, and Sarah, who gave birth to your nation. Abraham was only one man when I called him. But when I blessed him, he became a great nation.”

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

“ But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said.“ We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean,‘ You will be set free’?”

“ The rich man shouted,‘ Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’“ But Abraham said to him,‘ Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.

“ Brothers— you sons of Abraham, and also you God fearing Gentiles— this message of salvation has been sent to us!

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other,‘ We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.

Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said,“ You must not covet.”

Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message.I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”“ Our father is Abraham!” they declared.“ No,” Jesus replied,“ for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.No, you are imitating your real father.” They replied,“ We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

“ But Abraham said,‘ Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’“ The rich man replied,‘ No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’“ But Abraham said,‘ If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

Don’t just say to each other,‘ We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.

Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?