Romans 4, side by side

Two versions of the same chapter. Each row is one verse, so you can see how the wording changes.

Modern

1What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh?

Classic

1What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

Modern

2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God.

Classic

2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

Modern

3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Classic

3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Modern

4Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed.

Classic

4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Modern

5But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

Classic

5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Modern

6Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,

Classic

6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

Modern

7“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Classic

7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Modern

8Blessed is the man whom the Lord will by no means charge with sin.”

Classic

8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Modern

9Is this blessing then pronounced on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

Classic

9Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Modern

10How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

Classic

10How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

Modern

11He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they might be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them.

Classic

11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

Modern

12He is the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.

Classic

12And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

Modern

13For the promise to Abraham and to his offspring that he should be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Classic

13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Modern

14For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect.

Classic

14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Modern

15For the law produces wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.

Classic

15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Modern

16For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the offspring, 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.

Classic

16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure 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,

Modern

17As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.” This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.

Classic

17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Modern

18Besides hope, Abraham in hope believed, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So will your offspring be.”

Classic

18Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Modern

19Without being weakened in faith, he didn’t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

Classic

19And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:

Modern

20Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,

Classic

20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Modern

21and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform.

Classic

21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Modern

22Therefore it also was “credited to him for righteousness.”

Classic

22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Modern

23Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone,

Classic

23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

Modern

24but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead,

Classic

24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Modern

25who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.

Classic

25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Your pair of translations is remembered on this device for other chapters.