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

nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED."

That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.

And not only that, but there was also Rebekah, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;

for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,

Just as it is written: "JACOB I HAVE LOVED, BUT ESAU I HAVE HATED."

So then, it does not depend on the person who wants it nor the one who runs, but on God who has mercy.

namely us, whom He also called, not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles,

What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, but the righteousness that is by faith;

Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though they could by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,

For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.

But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL GO UP INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down),

But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"

But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? On the contrary: "THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD."

But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, "I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS WITH THOSE WHO ARE NOT A NATION, WITH A FOOLISH NATION I WILL ANGER YOU."

But as for Israel, He says, "I HAVE SPREAD OUT MY HANDS ALL DAY LONG TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE."

But what is the divine response to him? "I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL."

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace.

What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;