Romans 9:1-18 ▼

1 I call Christ, and the holy spirit to witness with my conscience, that I speak the truth without guile, when I say,

2 that I have great heaviness, and continual sorrow in my heart.

3 for I could wish to be as one anathematiz'd from the christian church for my brethren, who are of the same race as my self,

4 who are Israelites; who had the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law, the form of divine worship, and the promises;

5 who are the offspring of the patriarchs, and of whom as to the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

6 However, the divine promise cannot but have its effect, for they are not the whole of Israel, who are descended from Israel:

7 neither are they who are the race of Abraham, all children: but 'tis said, "in Isaac shall thy posterity be called."

8 that is, the children by natural descent are not thereby the children of God: but the children of the promise are alone considered as his posterity.

9 for the words of the promise run thus, "at this time I will come, and Sara shall have a son."

10 this appears too from the case of Rebecca, who conceived twins by our father Isaac.

11 for before they were born, and had done neither good or evil, that the distinction which God had purposed to make might appear to be, not in consideration of their actions, but of his own free call,

12 it was said to her, "the elder shall serve the younger."

13 as it is written, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau I have discarded."

14 What do we say then? is there injustice in God?

15 God forbid, for he saith to Moses, "I will show favour to whom I will show favour, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

16 so that this is a matter not dependent on him that wills or runs, but on God, who shews mercy.

17 for 'tis said in scripture to 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."

18 thus some he pursues with his favours, and abandons others to their obduracy, according as he thinks fit.