1I ask then: “Has God rejected or abandoned His people?” Of course not! For I, myself, am also an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah? How he appealed to God against Israel, saying, 3'“Lord, they have killed Your prophets, and torn down Your altars; and I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me.” (I Kings 19:10 & 14). 4But what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.” (I Kings 19:18). 5So, even now, at this present time, there is also a remnant chosen by the election of grace. 6And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; otherwise, grace would not be grace – free and undeserved. 7What can we conclude, then? Most of Israel has not obtained what she sought for; but only the elect - those that God has chosen - have obtained it, and the rest were blinded (hardened) 8As it is written, “God has given them the spirit of slumber (stupor), eyes that they would not see, and ears that they would not hear.” (Isa. 6:9 & 29:10) until this day. 9And David said, “Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block – what they deserve; 10Let their eyes be darkened (dimmed), so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” (Ps. 69:22-23).

11I again ask: Have they stumbled such that they are beyond recovery? Of course not! But rather, by their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke Israel to jealousy. 12But if their (Israel’s) transgression (rejection) meant riches for the Gentile world, think how much more will result from their full acceptance of the gospel! 13I am speaking to you Gentiles, since God has appointed me as the apostle to you, and I stress that part of my ministry, 14In hopes that I may provoke to jealousy those of my own nation, and thereby save some of them. 15For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the Gentile world, what shall their acceptance be, but life from the dead?

16For if the first part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17And if some of the branches are broken off, and you, being from a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and share with them in the nourishment from the root of the olive tree (the Jews), 18Do not boast (or consider yourself superior to) the branches you displaced. But if you do boast, remember that you do not you bear (sustain) the root, but the root sustains you. 19But then you may say, “But those branches were broken off, so that I might be grafted in.” 20Granted. But they were broken off because of their unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be in awe; 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, take heed: neither is He obligated to spare you. 22Behold and consider, therefore, both the kindness and severity (sternness) of God; on them who fell, severity; but toward you, kindness, if you continue to trust in His kindness. Otherwise, you may also be cut off. 23And they also, if they do not persist in their unbelief, shall be grafted back in again; for God certainly is able to graft them in again. 24For if you who are wild by nature were cut (taken) from an olive tree which is by nature wild, and were grafted, contrary to nature, into a good (cultivated) olive tree, how much more shall these, who are its natural branches, be eagerly grafted back into their own olive tree?

25For I would not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, and sisters, so that you are not proud in your own conceit: that blindness in part has happened to Israel, until the full number of Gentiles has come to Christ. 26And in this way, all Israel shall be saved; As it is written: “There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Isa.59:20-21). 28As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sakes; but as far as the election is concerned, they are beloved for the sake of the patriarchs 29For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (cannot be withdrawn). 30Just as you, in times past, have not believed and were disobedient to God, and yet you have now obtained mercy through their unbelief, 31Even so have these also not believed, that through God’s mercy to you, they may also obtain mercy. 32For God has consigned them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy upon all. 33Oh, the depth of the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways beyond our understanding! 34For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? 35Or who has ever first given to God, that God should repay him? 36For from Him, and through Him, and for Him, are all things; to Whom be glory forever. Amen.