Romans 9
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Paul's Concern for the Jews

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1I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit--1I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—1I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,1I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience is testifying to me with the Holy Spirit--
2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.2that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.2that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.2that I have intense sorrow and continual anguish in my heart.
3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race,3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.3For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:3For I could almost wish to be cursed and cut off from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood.
4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.4who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises,4Who are 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;4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises.
5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.5To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.5whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.5The ancestors are theirs, and from them, by physical descent, came the Messiah, who is God over all, praised forever. Amen.

God's Sovereign Choice

(Genesis 25:19-28; Malachi 1:1-5)

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6It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.6But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,6But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;6Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:6But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."7and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”7nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED."7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.7Neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants. On the contrary, your offspring will be traced through Isaac.
8In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.8This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.8That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.8That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.8That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God's children, but the children of the promise are considered to be the offspring.
9For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."9For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”9For this is the word of promise: "AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON."9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.9For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.
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10Not only that, but Rebekah's children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.10And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,10And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;10And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;10And not only that, but also Rebekah received a promise when she became pregnant by one man, our ancestor Isaac.
11Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand:11though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—11for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)11For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to election might stand--
12not by works but by him who calls--she was told, "The older will serve the younger."12she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”12it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER."12It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.12not from works but from the One who calls--she was told: The older will serve the younger.
13Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."13As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”13Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED."13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.13As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.
14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!14What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!14What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!14What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.14What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not!
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15For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."15For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”15For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION."15For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.15For He tells Moses: I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy.16So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.16So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.16So then it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy.
17For Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH."17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.17For the Scripture tells Pharaoh: I raised you up for this reason so that I may display My power in you and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.18So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.18So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.18So then, He shows mercy to those He wants to, and He hardens those He wants to harden.

The Calling of the Gentiles

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19One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?"19You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”19You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?"19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?19You will say to me, therefore, "Why then does He still find fault? For who can resist His will?"
20But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'"20But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”20On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it?20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?20But who are you, a mere man, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"
21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?21Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?21Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?21Or has the potter no right over the clay, to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor?
22What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction?22What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,22What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:22And what if God, desiring to display His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience objects of wrath ready for destruction?
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23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory--23in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—23And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,23And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory on objects of mercy that He prepared beforehand for glory--
24even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?24even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?24even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?24on us, the ones He also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
25As he says in Hosea: "I will call them 'my people' who are not my people; and I will call her 'my loved one' who is not my loved one,"25As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”25As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.'"25As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.25As He also says in Hosea: I will call Not My People, My People, and she who is Unloved, Beloved.
26and, "In the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'children of the living God.'"26“And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”26"AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, 'YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,' THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD."26And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.26And it will be in the place where they were told, you are not My people, there they will be called sons of the living God.
27Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.27And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved,27Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED;27Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:27But Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: Though the number of Israel's sons is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved;
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28For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality."28for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.”28FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY."28For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.28for the Lord will execute His sentence completely and decisively on the earth.
29It is just as Isaiah said previously: "Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah."29And as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.”29And just as Isaiah foretold, "UNLESS THE LORD OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY, WE WOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM, AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH."29And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.29And just as Isaiah predicted: If the Lord of Hosts had not left us offspring, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah.

Israel's Unbelief

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30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;30What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;30What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith;30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.30What should we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness--namely the righteousness that comes from faith.
31but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal.31but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.31but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.31But Israel, pursuing the law for righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law.
32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.32Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,32Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;32Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.
33As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame."33as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”33just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.33As it is written: Look! I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over and a rock to trip over, yet the one who believes on Him will not be put to shame.



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