Letter to the Romans

I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit,

that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart.

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers' sake, my relatives according to the flesh,

who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises;

of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.

But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel.

Neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children. But, "In Isaac will your seed be called."

That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as a seed.

For this is a word of promise, "At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son."

Not only so, but Rebecca also conceived by one, by our father Isaac.

For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls,

it was said to her, "The elder will serve the younger."

Even as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be!

For he said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth."

So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.

You will say then to me, "Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?"

But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"