14. If people could receive what God promised by following the law, then faith is worthless. And God’s promise to Abraham is worthless,
15. because the law can only bring God’s anger. But if there is no law, then there is nothing to disobey.
16. So people receive God’s promise by having faith. This happens so that the promise can be a free gift. And if the promise is a free gift, then all of Abraham’s children can have that promise. The promise is not only for those people that live under the law of Moses. It is for anyone who lives with faith like Abraham. He is the father of us all.
17. As it is written in the Scriptures: “I am making you a father of many nations.” This is true before God. Abraham believed in God—the God who gives life to the dead and decides that things will happen that have not yet happened.