because, having known God they did not glorify Him as God, nor gave thanks, but were made vain in their reasonings, and their unintelligent heart was darkened,

professing to be wise, they were made fools,

And, according as they did not approve of having God in knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mind, to do the things not seemly;

much in every way; for first, indeed, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God;

All did go out of the way, together they became unprofitable, there is none doing good, there is not even one.

A sepulchre opened is their throat; with their tongues they used deceit; poison of asps is under their lips.

And a way of peace they did not know.

'Happy they whose lawless acts were forgiven, and whose sins were covered;

for if they who are of law are heirs, the faith hath been made void, and the promise hath been made useless;

nor because they are seed of Abraham are all children, but -- 'in Isaac shall a seed be called to thee;'

(for they being not yet born, neither having done anything good or evil, that the purpose of God, according to choice, might remain; not of works, but of Him who is calling,) it was said to her --

and it shall be -- in the place where it was said to them, Ye are not My people; there they shall be called sons of the living God.'

wherefore? because -- not by faith, but as by works of law; for they did stumble at the stone of stumbling,

for I bear them testimony that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge,

for not knowing the righteousness of God, and their own righteousness seeking to establish, to the righteousness of God they did not submit.

How then shall they call upon him in whom they did not believe? and how shall they believe on him of whom they did not hear? and how shall they hear apart from one preaching?

and how shall they preach, if they may not be sent? according as it hath been written, 'How beautiful the feet of those proclaiming good tidings of peace, of those proclaiming good tidings of the good things!'

But they were not all obedient to the good tidings, for Isaiah saith, 'Lord, who did give credence to our report?'

but I say, Did they not hear? yes, indeed -- 'to all the earth their voice went forth, and to the ends of the habitable world their sayings.'

'Lord, Thy prophets they did kill, and Thy altars they dug down, and I was left alone, and they seek my life;'

I say, then, Did they stumble that they might fall? let it not be! but by their fall the salvation is to the nations, to arouse them to jealousy;

by unbelief they were broken off, and thou hast stood by faith; be not high-minded, but be fearing;

And those also, if they may not remain in unbelief, shall be graffed in, for God is able again to graff them in;

for if thou, out of the olive tree, wild by nature, wast cut out, and, contrary to nature, wast graffed into a good olive tree, how much rather shall they, who are according to nature, be graffed into their own olive tree?

As regards, indeed, the good tidings, they are enemies on your account; and as regards the choice -- beloved on account of the fathers;

so also these now did not believe, that in your kindness they also may find kindness;

for because of this also pay ye tribute; for servants of God they are, on this very thing attending continually;

but according as it hath been written, 'To whom it was not told concerning him, they shall see; and they who have not heard, shall understand.'

for it pleased well, and their debtors they are, for if in their spiritual things the nations did participate, they ought also, in the fleshly things, to minister to them.

for such our Lord Jesus Christ do not serve, but their own belly; and through the good word and fair speech they deceive the hearts of the harmless,