Romans 4:4

Bible in Basic English 1965

Now, the reward is credited to him who does works, not as of grace but as a debt.

See the chapter Copy

Or who has first given to him, and it will be given back to him again?

But if it is of grace, then it is no longer of works: or grace would not be grace.

And they may have righteousness put to their credit, freely, by his grace, through the salvation which is in Christ Jesus:

Why? Because they were not searching for it by faith, but by works. They came up against the stone which was in the way;