[1] I ask then, Did God reject his people? Certainly not! For I also am an
Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God
didn`t reject his people, which he foreknew. Or don`t you know what the
scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel: [3]
"Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars;
and I am left alone, and they seek my life." [4] But how does God answer
him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the
knee to Baal." [5] Even so then at this present time also there is a
remnant according to the election of grace. [6] And if by grace, then it is
no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of
works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. [7] What
then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn`t obtain, but the election
obtained it, and the rest were hardened. [8] According as it is written,
"God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears
that they should not hear, to this very day." [9] David says, "Let their
table be made a snare, and a trap, A stumbling block, and a retribution to
them. [10] Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see. Bow down
their back always." [11] I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall?
Certainly not! But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to
provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if their fall is the riches of the
world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their
fullness? [13] For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an
apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry; [14] if by any means I may
provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them. [15]
For if the rejection of them [is] the reconciling of the world, what would
the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? [16] If the first fruit
is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches. [17] But
if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were
grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root of the
richness of the olive tree; [18] don`t boast over the branches. But if you
boast, it is not you who bear the root, but the root you. [19] You will say
then, "Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in." [20] True; by
their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don`t be
conceited, but fear; [21] for if God didn`t spare the natural branches,
neither will he spare you. [22] See then the goodness and severity of God.
Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue
in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off. [23] They also, if
they don`t continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able
to graft them in again. [24] For if you were cut out of that which is by
nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good
olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be
grafted into their own olive tree? [25] For I don`t desire, brothers, to
have you ignorant of this mystery, so that you won`t be wise in your own
conceits, that a hardening in part has happened to Israel, until the
fullness of the Gentiles have come in, [26] and so all Israel will be
saved. Even as it is written, "There will come out of Zion the Deliverer,
And he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob. [27] This is my covenant to
them, When I will take away their sins." [28] Concerning the gospel, they
are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved
for the fathers` sake. [29] For the gifts and the calling of God are
irrevocable. [30] For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now
have obtained mercy by their disobedience, [31] even so these also have now
been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain
mercy. [32] For God has shut up all to disobedience, that he might have
mercy on all. [33] Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the
knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past
tracing out! [34] "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has
been his counselor?" [35] "Or who has first given to him, And it will be
repaid to him again?" [36] For of him, and through him, and to him, are all
things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.
