Romans 9:1-21 ▼

1 I SPEAK the truth in Christ, I lie not, (my conscience also bearing witness to me in the Holy Ghost,)

2 that great is my sorrow and unceasing the anguish in my heart.

3 For could I myself wish that an anathema should be from Christ upon my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh?

4 who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the gift of the law, and the sacred service, and the promises;

5 of whom are the fathers, and from whom as respecting the flesh Christ sprung, who is over all, the blessed God for evermore. Amen.

6 Now it is not supposable that the word of God hath failed. For these are not all Israel, who are of Israel:

7 nor, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

8 That is, not the children of the flesh, these are the children of God: but the children of the promise are accounted for the seed.

9 For the word of promise is this, At that time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.

10 And not only so; but when Rebecca also had conception by one, even Isaac our father;

11 (though the children were not yet born, nor had done any thing good or evil, that according to the election of God the purpose might abide, not from works, but from him who called;)

12 it was said unto her, ?That the elder shall be servant to the younger.?

13 As it is written, ?Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.?

14 What shall we say therefore? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

15 For 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.?

16 Well then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God who sheweth mercy.

17 For the scripture saith to Pharaoh, ?That for this very end have I raised thee up, that I might display in thee my power, and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.?

18 Well then, he hath mercy on whom he will, but whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Wilt thou then say to me, Why yet doth he blame us? Who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that disputest against God? Shall the thing fashioned say to him that fashioned it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, from the same mass to make one vessel for an honourable use, and another for a dishonourable?