Romans 9:6-13 - God's Gracious Election Of Israel

⁶ However, the divine promise cannot but have its effect. for they are not the whole of Israel, who are descended from Israel: ⁷ neither are they who are the race of Abraham, all children: but 'tis said, "in Isaac shall thy posterity be called." ⁸ that is, the children by natural descent are not thereby the children of God: but the children of the promise are alone considered as his posterity. ⁹ for the words of the promise run thus, "at this time I will come, and Sara shall have a son." ¹⁰ this appears too from the case of Rebecca, who conceived twins by our father Isaac. ¹¹ for before they were born, and had done neither good or evil, that the distinction which God had purposed to make might appear to be, not in consideration of their actions, but of his own free call, ¹² it was said to her, "the elder shall serve the younger." ¹³ as it is written, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau I have discarded."