Romans 9
Romans 9
I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit Verse 2. that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. Verse 3. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh Verse 4. who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises; Verse 5. of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.
Verse 6. But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel that are of Israel. Verse 7. Neither, because they are Abraham’s offspring, are they all children. But, “your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac.” Verse 8. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as heirs. Verse 9. For this is a word of promise: “At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” Verse 10. Not only so, but Rebekah also conceived by one, by our father Isaac. Verse 11. For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls, Verse 12. it was said to her, “The elder will serve the younger.” Verse 13. Even as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Verse 14. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be! Verse 15. For he said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Verse 16. So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy. Verse 17. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Verse 18. So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.
Verse 19. You will say then to me, “Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?” Verse 20. But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” Verse 21. Or hasn’t the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor? Verse 22. What if God, willing to show his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, Verse 23. and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory— Verse 24. us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles? Verse 25. As he says also in Hosea,
Verse 27. Isaiah cries concerning Israel,
Verse 29. As Isaiah has said before,
Verse 30. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who didn’t follow after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith; Verse 31. but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, didn’t arrive at the law of righteousness. Verse 32. Why? Because they didn’t seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, Verse 33. even as it is written,