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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Romans 9 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/romans/9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/romans/9-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Romans 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../romans/8.htm" title="Romans 8">◄</a> Romans 9 <a href="../romans/10.htm" title="Romans 10">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/romans/9.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Paul’s Concern for the Jewish People</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>I am telling the truth because I belong to<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:1 Lit. truth in">a</a></span> the Messiah<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:1 Or Christ">b</a></span> —I am not lying, and my conscience confirms it by means of the Holy Spirit. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>for I could wish that I myself were condemned<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:3 Or accursed">c</a></span> and cut off from the Messiah<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:3 Or Christ">d</a></span> for the sake of my brothers, my own people,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:3 Lit. own relatives according to the flesh">e</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>who are Israelis. To them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:4 Other mss. read the covenant">f</a></span> the giving of the Law, the worship, and the promises. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>To the Israelis<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:5 Lit. To them">g</a></span> belong the patriarchs, and from them, the Messiah<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:5 Or Christ">h</a></span> descended,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:5 Lit. Messiah according to the flesh">i</a></span> who is God over all, the one who is forever blessed. Amen.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Now it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all Israelis truly belong to Israel, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>and not all of Abraham’s descendants are his true descendants. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that descendants will be named for you.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:7 Cf. Gen 21:12">j</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>That is, it is not merely the children born through natural descent who were regarded as God’s children, but it is the children born through the promise who were regarded as descendants. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>For this is the language of the promise: “At this time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:9 Cf. Gen 18:10, 14">k</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Not only that, but Rebecca became pregnant by our ancestor Isaac. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Yet before their children<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:11 Lit. they">l</a></span> had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s plan of election might continue to operate <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>according to his calling and not by actions), Rebecca<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:12 Lit. she">m</a></span> was told, “The older child will serve the younger one.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:12 Cf. Gen 25:23">n</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>So it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:13 Cf. Mal 1:2-3">o</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>What can we say, then? God is not unrighteous, is he? Of course not! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>For he says to Moses, “I will be merciful to the person I want to be merciful to, and I will be kind to the person I want to be kind to.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:15 Cf. Exod 33:19">p</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Therefore, God’s choice<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:16 Lit. it">q</a></span> does not depend on a person’s will or effort, but on God himself, who shows mercy. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>For the Scripture says about Pharaoh,</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">“I have raised you up for this very purpose,</p> <p class="poetry2">to demonstrate my power through you</p> <p class="poetry2">and that my name might be proclaimed</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">in all the earth.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:17 Cf. Exod 9:16">r</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Therefore, God<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:18 Lit. he">s</a></span> has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.</p> <p class="heading">God Chose People who are Not Jewish</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>You may ask me, “Then why does God<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:19 Lit. he">t</a></span> still find fault with anybody?<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:19 The Gk. lacks with anybody">u</a></span> For who can resist his will?” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>On the contrary, who are you—mere man that you are—to talk back to God? Can an object that was molded say to the one who molded it, “Why did you make me like this?” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>A potter has the right to do what he wants to with his clay, doesn’t he? He can make something for a special occasion or something for ordinary use from the same lump of clay.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Now if God wants to demonstrate his wrath and reveal his power, can’t he be extremely patient with the objects of his wrath that are made for destruction? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Can’t he also reveal his glorious riches to the objects of his mercy that he has prepared ahead of time for glory— <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>including us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but from the gentiles as well? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>As the Scripture<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:25 Lit. As it">v</a></span> says in Hosea,</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">“Those who are not my people</p> <p class="poetry2">I will call my people,</p> <p class="poetry2">and the one who was not loved</p> <p class="poetry2">I will call my loved one.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:25 Cf. Hos 2:23">w</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>In the very place where it was told them,</p> <p class="poetry2">‘You are not my people,’</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">they will be called children of the living God.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:26 Cf. Hos 1:10">x</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Isaiah also calls out concerning Israel,</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">“Although the descendants of Israel</p> <p class="poetry2">are as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore,</p> <p class="poetry2">only a few will be saved.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>For the Lord<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:28 MT source citation reads LORD">y</a></span> will carry out his plan decisively,</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">bringing it to completion on the earth.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:28 Cf. Isa 10:22-23">z</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>It is just as Isaiah predicted:</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">“If the Lord of the Heavenly Armies</p> <p class="poetry2">had not left us some descendants,</p> <p class="poetry2">we would have become like Sodom</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">and would have been compared to Gomorrah.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:29 Cf. Isa 1:9">aa</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>What can we say, then? Gentiles, who were not pursuing righteousness, have attained righteousness, a righteousness that comes through faith. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>But Israel, who pursued righteousness based on the Law, did not achieve the Law. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Why not? Because they did not pursue it on the basis of faith, but as if it were based on achievements. They stumbled over the stone that causes people to stumble. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>As it is written,</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">“Look! I am placing a stone in Zion</p> <p class="poetry2">over which people will stumble—</p> <p class="poetry2">a large rock that will make them fall—</p> <p class="poetry2">and the one who believes in him will never be ashamed.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="9:33 Cf. Isa 28:16">bb</a></span> </p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 9:1 Lit. <i>truth in</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 9:1 Or <i>Christ</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 9:3 Or <i>accursed</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 9:3 Or <i>Christ</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 9:3 Lit. <i>own relatives according to the flesh</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 9:4 Other mss. read <i>the covenant</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 9:5 Lit. <i>To them</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 9:5 Or <i>Christ</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 9:5 Lit. <i>Messiah according to the flesh</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 9:7 Cf. Gen 21:12<br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 9:9 Cf. Gen 18:10, 14<br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 9:11 Lit. <i>they</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 9:12 Lit. <i>she</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 9:12 Cf. Gen 25:23<br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 9:13 Cf. Mal 1:2-3<br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 9:15 Cf. Exod 33:19<br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 9:16 Lit. <i>it</i><br /><span class="fnb">r</span> 9:17 Cf. Exod 9:16<br /><span class="fnb">s</span> 9:18 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">t</span> 9:19 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">u</span> 9:19 The Gk. lacks <i>with anybody</i><br /><span class="fnb">v</span> 9:25 Lit. <i>As it</i><br /><span class="fnb">w</span> 9:25 Cf. Hos 2:23<br /><span class="fnb">x</span> 9:26 Cf. Hos 1:10<br /><span class="fnb">y</span> 9:28 MT source citation reads <i>LORD</i><br /><span class="fnb">z</span> 9:28 Cf. Isa 10:22-23<br /><span class="fnb">aa</span> 9:29 Cf. Isa 1:9<br /><span class="fnb">bb</span> 9:33 Cf. 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