Now, the reward is credited to him who does works, not as of grace but as a debt.
But if it is of grace, then it is no longer of works: or grace would not be grace.
Why? Because they were not searching for it by faith, but by works. They came up against the stone which was in the way;
Or who has first given to him, and it will be given back to him again?
And they may have righteousness put to their credit, freely, by his grace, through the salvation which is in Christ Jesus: