Romans 9:1-21 ▼

1 I speak the truth in Christ (the Anointed One); I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit {Hagiō Pneumati}.

2 I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ (the Anointed One) for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood,

4 the people of Israel (He wrestles with God). Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory {doxa} and the covenants {diathēkai}; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.

5 Theirs are the patriarchs {pateres}, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ (the Anointed One), who is God {Theos} over all, forever \to the ages/ worthy of praise (forever blessed)! Amen.

6 It is not as though God’s {Theou} word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel (He wrestles with God) are Israel.

7 Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants (seed) are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac (he will laugh) your offspring will be reckoned .”

8 So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s {Theou} children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring (seed).

9 For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah (lady) will have a son .”

10 Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac (he will laugh).

11 Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s {Theou} plan of election might stand,

12 not by works (acts) but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger .”

13 So it is written: “Jacob (he grasps the heel) I loved {ēgapēsa}, but Esau (hairy) I hated .”

14 What then shall we say? Is God {theō} unjust (wickedness)? Certainly not!

15 For He says to Moses (drawn out): “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy (compassion), and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion .”

16 So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s {Theou} mercy (compassion).

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power {dynamin} in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth .”

18 Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.

19 One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?

20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God {Theō}? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this ?”

21 Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?