1I speak the truth in Christ, I am not lying; as my conscience confirms in the Holy Spirit, 2That I have great 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 - 4Israelites; to whom God revealed His divine glory, the covenants, the giving and receiving of the law, His wonderful promises, and the privilege of serving God; 5Those whose fathers are the patriarchs, from whom, as far as the flesh (human ancestry) is concerned, Christ, the Messiah came, Who is over all, blessed by God forever. Amen.

6But it is not as though the word of God failed to fulfil His promise, for not all who are descended from Israel are truly Israel (God’s people); 7Nor because they are descendants of Abraham are they all of Abraham’s children, but, as the Scriptures say, “In Isaac shall your descendants be called” (Gen.21:12). 8That is, those who are Abraham’s children of the flesh (by physical descent) are not necessarily the children of God; but it is the children of the promise that are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 9For this is the word of promise that was stated: “At this time I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Gen.18:10) 10And not only this, but when Rebecca had conceived by our father Isaac, 11Before the twins were born, neither having done either good or evil, in order that the purpose of God according to election might continue - not based upon works, but by election by Him Who calls - 12She was told, “The elder (Esau) shall serve the younger. (Jacob)” (Gen.25:23). 13As it is written, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (rejected)” (Mal.1:2-3).

14What shall we say then? Is God unfair? God forbid. 15For He said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Exo.33:19) 16So, then, it is not by our will or effort, but by God, Who shows mercy. 17For the scripture said to Pharaoh, “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show My power in you, and that My name might be declared throughout all the earth.” (Exo.9:16). 18Therefore He has mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whomever He wants, He hardens. 19One of you might then say to me, “Why does He yet blame us? For who can resist His will?” 20But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall the thing that is formed say to Him Who formed it, “Why have You made me like this?” 21Does the potter not have power over the clay, to make out of the same lump some pieces of pottery for special purposes, and others for common use?

22What if God, while choosing to show His wrath, and make His power known, endured with great patience the objects of His wrath destined for destruction; 23And what if He did this to make known to the objects of His mercy the riches of His glory - those which He had prepared in advance for glory - 24Even us, whom He has also called, not only of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles? 25As He also said in Hosea, “I will call them My people, who were not My people; and her beloved, who was not beloved.” 26And “in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people.’; there they shall be called the ‘children of the living God.’” (Hos.2:25-26). 27Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the descendants of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.” (Is.10:22); 28For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because the Lord will make short work of His intents upon the earth with speed and finality” (Is.10:22). 29And as Isaiah said before, “Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us descendants, we would have been as Sodom, and like Gomorrah.”(Is.1:9).

30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31But the people of Israel, who tried to follow the law to righteousness, have never attained righteousness - the goal of the law. 32Why not? Because they sought it not by faith, but, rather, by their own works. For they stumbled over that stumbling Stone; 33As it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling Stone and Rock of offence; but whoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed.” (Is.28:16).