The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like^(A) ten virgins who took their lamps^(B) and went out to meet the bridegroom.^{(C) 2} Five of them were foolish and five were wise.^{(D) 3} The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.^(E)

⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’^(F)

⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.^(G) And the door was shut.

¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’^(H)

¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.^(I)

The Parable of the Bags of Gold^(J)

¹⁴ “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey,^(K) who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,^[a] each according to his ability.^(L) Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. ¹⁷ So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

¹⁹ “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.^{(M) 20} The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

²¹ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.^(N) Come and share your master’s happiness!’

²² “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

²³ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.^(O) Come and share your master’s happiness!’

²⁴ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

²⁶ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷ Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

²⁸ “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. ²⁹ For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.^{(P) 30} And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’^(Q)

The Sheep and the Goats

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes^(R) in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.^{(S) 32} All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate^(T) the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.^{(U) 33} He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom^(V) prepared for you since the creation of the world.^{(W) 35} For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,^{(X) 36} I needed clothes and you clothed me,^(Y) I was sick and you looked after me,^(Z) I was in prison and you came to visit me.’^(AA)

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’^(AB)

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me,^(AC) you who are cursed, into the eternal fire^(AD) prepared for the devil and his angels.^{(AE) 42} For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’^(AF)

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.^(AG)”^(AH)

The Plot Against Jesus^(AI)

26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things,^(AJ) he said to his disciples, ² “As you know, the Passover^(AK) is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

³ Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled^(AL) in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,^{(AM) 4} and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.^{(AN) 5} “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot^(AO) among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany^(AP)(AQ)

⁶ While Jesus was in Bethany^(AR) in the home of Simon the Leper, ⁷ a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

⁸ When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. ⁹ “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

¹⁰ Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ¹¹ The poor you will always have with you,^[b](AS) but you will not always have me. ¹² When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.^{(AT) 13} Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus^(AU)

¹⁴ Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot^(AV)—went to the chief priests ¹⁵ and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.^{(AW) 16} From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

The Last Supper^(AX)(AY)(AZ)

¹⁷ On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread,^(BA) the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”^(BB)

¹⁸ He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time^(BC) is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” ¹⁹ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

²⁰ When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. ²¹ And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”^(BD)

²² They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

²³ Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.^{(BE) 24} The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him.^(BF) But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

²⁵ Then Judas, the one who would betray him,^(BG) said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”^(BH)

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it^(BI) and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

²⁷ Then he took a cup,^(BJ) and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the^[c] covenant,^(BK) which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.^{(BL) 29} I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you^(BM) in my Father’s kingdom.”

³⁰ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.^(BN)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial^(BO)

³¹ Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me,^(BP) for it is written:

³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”^(BR)

³³ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

³⁴ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”^(BS)

³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you,^(BT) I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Gethsemane^(BU)

³⁶ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee^(BV) along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow^(BW) to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”^(BX)

³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup^(BY) be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”^(BZ)

⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me^(CA) for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.^(CB) The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”^(CC)

⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour^(CD) has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested^(CE)

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas,^(CF) one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!”^(CG) and kissed him.

⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”^[e](CH)

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword,^(CI) drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.^(CJ)

⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.^{(CK) 53} Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?^{(CL) 54} But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled^(CM) that say it must happen in this way?”

⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching,^(CN) and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”^(CO) Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin^(CP)

⁵⁷ Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas^(CQ) the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. ⁵⁸ But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest.^(CR) He entered and sat down with the guards^(CS) to see the outcome.

⁵⁹ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin^(CT) were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. ⁶⁰ But they did not find any, though many false witnesses^(CU) came forward.

Finally two^(CV) came forward ⁶¹ and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”^(CW)

⁶² Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” ⁶³ But Jesus remained silent.^(CX)

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath^(CY) by the living God:^(CZ) Tell us if you are the Messiah,^(DA) the Son of God.”^(DB)

⁶⁴ “You have said so,”^(DC) Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One^(DD) and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^[f](DE)

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes^(DF) and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. ⁶⁶ What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,”^(DG) they answered.

⁶⁷ Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists.^(DH) Others slapped him ⁶⁸ and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”^(DI)

Peter Disowns Jesus^(DJ)

⁶⁹ Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

⁷⁰ But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

⁷¹ Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

⁷² He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

⁷³ After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

⁷⁴ Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”^(DK) And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Released From the Law, Bound to Christ

7 Do you not know, brothers and sisters^(A)—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? ² For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him.^{(B) 3} So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress.^(C) But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

⁴ So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law^(D) through the body of Christ,^(E) that you might belong to another,^(F) to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. ⁵ For when we were in the realm of the flesh,^[a](G) the sinful passions aroused by the law^(H) were at work in us,^(I) so that we bore fruit for death.^{(J) 6} But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law^(K) so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.^(L)

The Law and Sin

⁷ What shall we say, then?^(M) Is the law sinful? Certainly not!^(N) Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.^(O) For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”^{[b](P) 8} But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,^(Q) produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.^{(R) 9} Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ¹⁰ I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life^(S) actually brought death. ¹¹ For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,^(T) deceived me,^(U) and through the commandment put me to death. ¹² So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.^(V)

¹³ Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good^(W) to bring about my death,^(X) so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual,^(Y) sold^(Z) as a slave to sin.^{(AA) 15} I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.^{(AB) 16} And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.^{(AC) 17} As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.^{(AD) 18} For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[c](AE) For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.^{(AF) 20} Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.^(AG)

²¹ So I find this law at work:^(AH) Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being^(AI) I delight in God’s law;^{(AJ) 23} but I see another law at work in me, waging war^(AK) against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin^(AL) at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?^{(AM) 25} Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!^(AN)

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law,^(AO) but in my sinful nature^[d] a slave to the law of sin.^(AP)

Life Through the Spirit

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation^(AQ) for those who are in Christ Jesus,^{(AR) 2} because through Christ Jesus^(AS) the law of the Spirit who gives life^(AT) has set you^[e] free^(AU) from the law of sin^(AV) and death. ³ For what the law was powerless^(AW) to do because it was weakened by the flesh,^[f](AX) God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh^(AY) to be a sin offering.^[g](AZ) And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement^(BA) of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.^(BB)

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;^(BC) but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.^{(BD) 6} The mind governed by the flesh is death,^(BE) but the mind governed by the Spirit is life^(BF) and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God;^(BG) it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh^(BH) cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh^(BI) but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.^(BJ) And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,^(BK) they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you,^(BL) then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life^[h] because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead^(BM) is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies^(BN) because of^[i] his Spirit who lives in you.

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.^{(BO) 13} For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;^(BP) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,^(BQ) you will live.^(BR)

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God^(BS) are the children of God.^{(BT) 15} The Spirit^(BU) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;^(BV) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[j] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[k] Father.”^{(BW) 16} The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit^(BX) that we are God’s children.^{(BY) 17} Now if we are children, then we are heirs^(BZ)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings^(CA) in order that we may also share in his glory.^(CB)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.^{(CC) 19} For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God^(CD) to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,^(CE) in hope ²¹ that^[l] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay^(CF) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.^(CG)

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning^(CH) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,^(CI) groan^(CJ) inwardly as we wait eagerly^(CK) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.^{(CL) 24} For in this hope we were saved.^(CM) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.^(CN) Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.^(CO)

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit^(CP) himself intercedes for us^(CQ) through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts^(CR) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes^(CS) for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good^(CT) of those who love him, who^[m] have been called^(CU) according to his purpose.^{(CV) 29} For those God foreknew^(CW) he also predestined^(CX) to be conformed to the image of his Son,^(CY) that he might be the firstborn^(CZ) among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined,^(DA) he also called;^(DB) those he called, he also justified;^(DC) those he justified, he also glorified.^(DD)

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things?^(DE) If God is for us,^(DF) who can be against us?^{(DG) 32} He who did not spare his own Son,^(DH) but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge^(DI) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns?^(DJ) No one. Christ Jesus who died^(DK)—more than that, who was raised to life^(DL)—is at the right hand of God^(DM) and is also interceding for us.^{(DN) 35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?^(DO) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?^{(DP) 36} As it is written:

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors^(DR) through him who loved us.^{(DS) 38} For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[o] neither the present nor the future,^(DT) nor any powers,^{(DU) 39} neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God^(DV) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.^(DW)

Paul’s Anguish Over Israel

9 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying,^(DX) my conscience confirms^(DY) it through the Holy Spirit— ² I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself^(DZ) were cursed^(EA) and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people,^(EB) those of my own race,^{(EC) 4} the people of Israel.^(ED) Theirs is the adoption to sonship;^(EE) theirs the divine glory,^(EF) the covenants,^(EG) the receiving of the law,^(EH) the temple worship^(EI) and the promises.^{(EJ) 5} Theirs are the patriarchs,^(EK) and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah,^(EL) who is God over all,^(EM) forever praised!^[p](EN) Amen.

God’s Sovereign Choice

⁶ It is not as though God’s word^(EO) had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.^{(EP) 7} Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”^{[q](EQ) 8} In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children,^(ER) but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.^{(ES) 9} For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”^[r](ET)

¹⁰ Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.^{(EU) 11} Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad^(EV)—in order that God’s purpose^(EW) in election might stand: ¹² not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”^{[s](EX) 13} Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”^[t](EY)

¹⁴ What then shall we say?^(EZ) Is God unjust? Not at all!^{(FA) 15} For he says to Moses,

¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.^{(FC) 17} For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”^{[v](FD) 18} Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.^(FE)

¹⁹ One of you will say to me:^(FF) “Then why does God still blame us?^(FG) For who is able to resist his will?”^{(FH) 20} But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God?^(FI) “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,^(FJ) ‘Why did you make me like this?’”^{[w](FK) 21} Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?^(FL)

²² What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience^(FM) the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?^{(FN) 23} What if he did this to make the riches of his glory^(FO) known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory^(FP)— ²⁴ even us, whom he also called,^(FQ) not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?^{(FR) 25} As he says in Hosea:

²⁶ and,

²⁷ Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:

²⁹ It is just as Isaiah said previously:

Israel’s Unbelief

³⁰ What then shall we say?^(FZ) That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;^{(GA) 31} but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness,^(GB) have not attained their goal.^{(GC) 32} Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.^{(GD) 33} As it is written: