For His invisible things, since the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being perceived by the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse:

because, having known God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor did they give thanks; but they became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

And, as they did not approve the holding of God in their knowledge, God delivered them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not becoming;

Much every way: first, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

What, then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we before charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;

they have all turned aside, they together became unprofitable; there is none that does good, there is not so much as one;

their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips;

and the ways of peace have they not known;

(as it has been written, "A father of many nations have I made you"), before God Whom he believed, Who maketh alive the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were;

But it is not as though the word of God has failed: for they are not all Israel, who are of Israel;

neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children; but, "In Isaac shall your seed be called."

And it shall be that in the place where it was said, 'Ye are not My people,' there shall they be called sons of the living God."

Wherefore? because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the Stone of stumbling;

Brethren, the desire, indeed, of my heart, and my supplication to God in their behalf, is that they may be saved.

For I testify for them, that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge;

for, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God;

How, then, shall they call on Him in Whom they believed not? and how shall they believe on Him of Whom they heard not? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

and how shall they preach, unless they are sent forth? As it has been written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!"

But they did not all obey the glad tidings. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who believed our report?"

But I say, did they not hear? Yes, verily, "Their sound went out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the inhabited earth."

"Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, they have digged down Thy altars; and I am left alone, and they are seeking my soul."

as it has been written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this day."

let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always."

I Say, then, did they stumble, that they might fall? It could not be! But by their trespass salvation has come to the gentiles to provoke them to rivalry.

Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, but you have been standing by faith. Do not cherish lofty thoughts; but fear.

And they also, if they continue not in unbelief, shall be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again.

As touching the Gospel, they are enemies for your sake; but as touching the election, they are beloved for the Father's sake;

even so did these now disobey, that by the mercy shown to you they also may obtain mercy.

For, on this account, ye pay tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually to this very thing.

Indeed, they were well pleased, and their debtors they are; for, if the gentiles were partakers of their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in carnal things.

For those who are such are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and, through their kind words and flattering speeches, they beguile the hearts of the simple.