Israel's Rejection

1 I am speaking the truth as one in union with Christ; it is no lie; and my conscience, enlightened by the Holy Spirit,

1 (A)I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,

1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

1 I speak the truth in Christ(A)—I am not lying; my conscience is testifying to me with the Holy Spirit(a)

1 I am telling the truth because I belong to the Messiah I am not lying, and my conscience confirms it by means of the Holy Spirit.

2 Bears me out when I say that there is a great weight of sorrow upon me and that my heart is never free from pain.

2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.

2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

2 that I have intense sorrow and continual anguish in my heart.

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

3 I could wish that I were myself accursed and severed from the Christ, for the sake of my Brothers-my own countrymen.

3 For (B)I could (a)wish that I myself were (C)accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen (D)according to the flesh,

3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

3 For I could almost wish(B) to be cursed(C) and cut off(b) from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood.

3 for I could wish that I myself were condemned and cut off from the Messiah for the sake of my brothers, my own people,

4 For they are Israelites, and theirs are the adoption as Sons, the visible Presence, the Covenants, the revealed Law, the Temple worship, and the Promises.

4 who are (E)Israelites, to whom belongs (F)the adoption as sons, and (G)the glory and (H)the covenants and (I)the giving of the Law and (J)the temple service and (K)the promises,

4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

4 They are Israelites,(D) and to them belong the adoption,(E) the glory,(F) the covenants,(G) the giving of the law,(H) the temple service,(I) and the promises.(J)

4 who are Israelis. To them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the worship, and the promises.

5 They are descended from the Patriarchs; and, as far as his human nature was concerned, from them came the Christ-he who is supreme over all things, God for ever blessed. Amen.

5 whose are (L)the fathers, and (M)from whom is (b)the Christ according to the flesh, (N)who is over all, (O)God (P)blessed (c)forever. Amen.

5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

5 The ancestors are theirs,(K) and from them, by physical descent,(c) came the Messiah,(L) who is God(M) over all,(N) praised forever.(d)(O) Amen.

5 To the Israelis belong the patriarchs, and from them, the Messiah descended, who is God over all, the one who is forever blessed. Amen.

God's Gracious Election Of Israel

6 Not that God's Word has failed. For it is not all who are descended from Israel who are true Israelites;

6 But it is not as though (Q)the word of God has failed. (R)For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;

6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed.(P) For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.(Q)

6 Now it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all Israelis truly belong to Israel,

7 Nor, because they are Abraham's descendants, are they all his Children; but-'It is Isaac's children who will be called thy descendants.'

7 nor are they all children (S)because they are Abraham’s (d)descendants, but: “(e)(T)through Isaac your (f)descendants will be named.”

7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

7 Neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants.(e)(R) On the contrary, your offspring will be traced(f) through Isaac.(S)(g)

7 and not all of Abraham's descendants are his true descendants. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that descendants will be named for you."

8 This means that it is not the children born in the course of nature who are God's Children, but it is the children born in fulfillment of the Promise who are to be regarded as Abraham's descendants.

8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are (U)children of God, but the (V)children of the promise are regarded as (g)descendants.

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

8 That is, it is not the children by physical descent(h) who are God’s children,(T) but the children of the promise(U) are considered to be the offspring.

8 That is, it is not merely the children born through natural descent who were regarded as God's children, but it is the children born through the promise who were regarded as descendants.

9 For these words are the words of a promise-'About this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.'

9 For this is the word of promise: “(W)At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.”

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

9 For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.(V)(i)

9 For this is the language of the promise: "At this time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."

10 Nor is that all. There is also the case of Rebecca, when she was about to bear children to our ancestor Isaac.

10 (X)And not only this, but there was (Y)Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;

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

10 And not only that,(W) but also Rebekah received a promise when she became pregnant(j)(X) by one man, our ancestor Isaac.

10 Not only that, but Rebecca became pregnant by our ancestor Isaac.

11 For in order that the purpose of God, working through selection, might not fail-a selection depending, not on obedience, but on his Call-Rebecca was told, before her children were born and before they had done anything either right or wrong,

11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that (Z)God’s purpose according to His choice would (h)stand, not (i)because of works but (j)because of Him who calls,

11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

11 For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand—(Y)

11 Yet before their children had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God's plan of election might continue to operate

12 that 'the elder would be a servant to the younger.'

12 it was said to her, “(AA)The older will serve the younger.”

12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

12 not from works but from the One who calls—she was told: The older will serve the younger.(Z)(k)

12 according to his calling and not by actions), Rebecca was told, "The older child will serve the younger one."

13 The words of Scripture are-'I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.'

13 Just as it is written, “(AB)Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

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

13 As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.(AA)(l)

13 So it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

God's Sovereign Choice To Show Mercy

14 What are we to say, then? Is God guilty of injustice? Heaven forbid!

14 (AC)What shall we say then? (AD)There is no injustice with God, is there? (AE)May it never be!

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

14 What should we say then?(AB) Is there injustice with God?(AC) Absolutely not!(AD)

14 What can we say, then? God is not unrighteous, is he? Of course not!

15 For his words to Moses are-'I will take pity on whom I take pity, and be merciful to whom I am merciful.'

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

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.

15 For He tells Moses:I will show mercyto whom I will show mercy,and I will have compassionon whom I will have compassion.(AE)(m)

15 For he says to Moses, "I will be merciful to the person I want to be merciful to, and I will be kind to the person I want to be kind to."

16 So, then, all depends, not on human wishes or human efforts, but on God's mercy.

16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who (AG)runs, but on (AH)God who has mercy.

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

16 So then it does not depend on human will or effort(n)(AF) but on God who shows mercy.(AG)

16 Therefore, God's choice does not depend on a person's will or effort, but on God himself, who shows mercy.

17 In Scripture, again, it is said to Pharaoh-'It was for this very purpose that I raised thee to the throne, to show my power by my dealings with thee, and to make my name known throughout the world.'

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “(AI)For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed (k)throughout the whole earth.”

17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

17 For the Scripture tells Pharaoh:I raised you up for this reasonso that I may display My power in youand that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth.(AH)(o)

17 For the Scripture says about Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for this very purpose, to demonstrate my power through you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

18 So, then, where God wills, he takes pity, and where he wills, he hardens the heart.

18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He (AJ)hardens whom He desires.

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

18 So then, He shows mercy to those He wants to, and He hardens those He wants to harden.(AI)

18 Therefore, God has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.

God's Anger And Mercy

19 Perhaps you will say to me-'How can any one still be blamed? For who withstands his purpose?'

19 (AK)You will say to me then, “(AL)Why does He still find fault? For (AM)who resists His will?”

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

19 You will say to me,(AJ) therefore, “Why then does He still find fault?(AK) For who can resist His will?”(AL)

19 You may ask me, "Then why does God still find fault with anybody? For who can resist his will?"

20 I might rather ask 'Who are you who are arguing with God?' Does a thing which a man has molded say to him who has molded it 'Why did you make me like this?'

20 On the contrary, who are you, (AN)O man, who (AO)answers back to God? (AP)The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?

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

20 But who are you, a mere man, to talk back to God?(AM) Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”(AN)

20 On the contrary, who are you mere man that you are to talk back to God? Can an object that was molded say to the one who molded it, "Why did you make me like this?"

21 Has not the potter absolute power over his clay, so that out of the same lump he makes one thing for better, and another for common, use?

21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel (l)for honorable use and another (m)for common use?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

21 Or has the potter no right over the clay,(AO) to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor?

21 A potter has the right to do what he wants to with his clay, doesn't he? He can make something for a special occasion or something for ordinary use from the same lump of clay.

22 And what if God, intending to reveal his displeasure and make his power known, bore most patiently with the objects of his displeasure, though they were fit only to be destroyed,

22 (n)What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much (AQ)patience vessels of wrath (AR)prepared for destruction?

22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

22 And what if God, desiring to display His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience(AP) objects of wrath ready for destruction?(AQ)

22 Now if God wants to demonstrate his wrath and reveal his power, can't he be extremely patient with the objects of his wrath that are made for destruction?

23 So as to make known his surpassing glory in dealing with the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared beforehand for glory,

23 And He did so to make known (AS)the riches of His glory upon (AT)vessels of mercy, which He (AU)prepared beforehand for glory,

23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

23 And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory(AR) on objects of mercy(AS) that He prepared beforehand for glory(AT)

23 Can't he also reveal his glorious riches to the objects of his mercy that he has prepared ahead of time for glory

24 And whom he called-even us-Not only from among the Jews but from among the Gentiles also!

24 even us, whom He also (AV)called, (AW)not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

24 on us, the ones He also called,(AU) not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?(AV)

24 including us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but from the gentiles as well?

God Chose People Who Are Not Jewish

25 This, indeed, is what he says in the Book of Hosea-'I will call those my People who were not my People, and her my beloved who was not beloved.

25 As He says also in Hosea,(AX)I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’And her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’”

25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

25 As He also says in Hosea:I will call Not My People, My People,and she who is Unloved, Beloved.(AW)(p)

25 As the Scripture says in Hosea, "Those who are not my people I will call my people, and the one who was not loved I will call my loved one.

26 And in the very place where it was said to them-"Ye are not my People", they shall be called Sons of the Living God.'

26 (AY)And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not My people,’There they shall be called sons of (AZ)the living God.”

26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

26 And it will be in the place where they were told,you are not My people,there they will be called sons of the living God.(AX)(q)

26 In the very place where it was told them, "You are not my people,' they will be called children of the living God."

27 And Isaiah cries aloud over Israel-'Though the Sons of Israel are like the sand of the sea in number, only a remnant of them shall escape!

27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “(BA)Though the number of the sons of Israel be (BB)like the sand of the sea, it is (BC)the remnant that will be saved;

27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

27 But Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:Though the number of Israel’s sonsis like the sand of the sea,(AY)only the remnant will be saved;(AZ)

27 Isaiah also calls out concerning Israel, "Although the descendants of Israel are as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore, only a few will be saved.

28 For the Lord will execute his sentence upon the world, fully and without delay.'

28 (BD)for the Lord will execute His word on the earth, (o)thoroughly and (p)quickly.”

28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

28 for the Lord will execute His sentencecompletely and decisively on the earth.(r)(BA)(s)

28 For the Lord will carry out his plan decisively, bringing it to completion on the earth."

29 It is as Isaiah foretold-'Had not the Lord of Hosts spared some few of our race to us, we should have become like Sodom and been made to resemble Gomorrah.'

29 And just as Isaiah foretold,(BE)Unless (BF)the Lord of (q)Sabaoth had left to us a (r)posterity,(BG)We would have become like Sodom, and would have (s)resembled Gomorrah.”

29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

29 And just as Isaiah predicted:If the Lord of Hosts(t) had not left us offspring,(BB)we would have become like Sodom,and we would have been made like Gomorrah.(BC)(u)

29 It is just as Isaiah predicted: "If the Lord of the Heavenly Armies had not left us some descendants, we would have become like Sodom and would have been compared to Gomorrah."

Israel's Present State

30 What are we to say, then? Why, that Gentiles, who were not in search of righteousness, secured it-a righteousness which was the result of faith;

30 (BH)What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even (BI)the righteousness which is (t)by faith;

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

30 What should we say then?(BD) Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness—namely the righteousness that comes from faith.(BE)

30 What can we say, then? Gentiles, who were not pursuing righteousness, have attained righteousness, a righteousness that comes through faith.

31 While Israel, which was in search of a Law which would ensure righteousness, failed to discover one.

31 but Israel, (BJ)pursuing a law of righteousness, did not (BK)arrive at that law.

31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

31 But Israel, pursuing the law for righteousness,(BF) has not achieved the righteousness of the law.(v)(BG)

31 But Israel, who pursued righteousness based on the Law, did not achieve the Law.

32 And why? Because they looked to obedience, and not to faith, to secure it. They stumbled over 'the Stumbling-block.'

32 Why? Because they did not pursue it (u)by faith, but as though it were (v)by works. They stumbled over (BL)the stumbling stone,

32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

32 Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works.(w) They stumbled over the stumbling stone.(BH)

32 Why not? Because they did not pursue it on the basis of faith, but as if it were based on achievements. They stumbled over the stone that causes people to stumble.

33 As Scripture says-'See, I place a Stumbling-block in Zion-- a Rock which shall prove a hindrance; and he who believes in him shall have no cause for shame.'

33 just as it is written,(BM)Behold, I lay in Zion (BN)a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense,(BO)And he who believes in Him (BP)will not be (w)disappointed.”

33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

33 As it is written:Look! I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble overand a rock to trip over,yet the one who believes on Him(BI)will not be put to shame.(BJ)(x)

33 As it is written, "Look! I am placing a stone in Zion over which people will stumble a large rock that will make them fall and the one who believes in him will never be ashamed."

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

King James Version Public Domain

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org