²¹ Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?^{(A) 22} You see that faith was active along with his works, and by works faith was brought to completion.^{(B) 23} Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,”^[a] and he was called the friend of God.^{(C) 24} You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers^[b] and sent them out by another road?^{(D) 26} For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.