1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing me witness in the holy Ghost,
2That I have great heaviness, and continual sorrow in mine heart.
3For I would wish myself to be separate from Christ, for my brethren that are my kinsmen according to the flesh,
4Which are the Israelites, to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the Covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the service of God, and the promises.
5Of whom are the fathers, and of whom concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is God over all, blessed forever, Amen.
6Notwithstanding it cannot be that the word of God should take none effect: for all they are not Israel, which are of Israel:
7Neither are they all children, because they are the seed of Abraham: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called:
8That is, they which are the children of the flesh, are not the children of God: but the children of the promise, are counted for the seed.
9For this is a word of promise, In this same time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
10Neither he only felt this, but also Rebecca, when she had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac.
11For ere the children were born, and when they had neither done good nor evil (that the purpose of God might remain according to election, not by works, but by him that calleth.)
12It was said unto her, The Elder shall serve the younger.
13As it is written, I have loved Jacob, and have hated Esau.
14What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on him, to whom I will show mercy: and will have compassion on him, on who I will have compassion.
16So then it is not in him that willeth, nor in him that runneth, but in God that showeth mercy.
17For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this same purpose have I stirred thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my Name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18Therefore he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet complain? for who hath resisted his will?
20But, O man, who art thou which pleadest against God? shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21Hath not the potter power of the clay to make of the same lump one vessel to honor, and another unto dishonor?
22What and if God would, to show his wrath, and to make his power known, suffer with long patience the vessels of wrath, prepared to destruction?
23And that he might declare the riches of his glory upon the vessels of mercy, which he hath prepared unto glory?
24Even us whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.
25As he saith also in Hosea, I will call them, My people, which were not my people: and her, Beloved, which was not beloved.
26And it shall be in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, that there they shall be called, The children of the living God.
27Also Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel were as the sand of the sea, yet shall but a remnant be saved.
28For he will make his account, and gather it into a short sum with righteousness: for the Lord will make a short count in the earth.
29And as Isaiah said before, Except the Lord of hosts had left us a seed, we had been made as Sodom, and had been like to Gomorrah.
30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles which followed not righteousness, have attained unto righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31But Israel which followed the Law of righteousness, could not attain unto the Law of righteousness.
32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the Law: for they have stumbled at the stumbling stone,
33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone, and a rock to make men fall: and everyone that believeth in him, shall not be ashamed.