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

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

¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.^{(I) 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.”^{[d](J) 18} Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.^(K)

¹⁹ One of you will say to me:^(L) “Then why does God still blame us?^(M) For who is able to resist his will?”^{(N) 20} But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God?^(O) “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,^(P) ‘Why did you make me like this?’”^{[e](Q) 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?^(R)

⁴ For he chose us^(A) in him before the creation of the world^(B) to be holy and blameless^(C) in his sight. In love^{(D) 5} he^[a] predestined^(E) us for adoption to sonship^[b](F) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure^(G) and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace,^(H) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.^{(I) 7} In him we have redemption^(J) through his blood,^(K) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches^(L) of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[c] made known to us the mystery^(M) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed^(N) in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment^(O)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.^(P)

¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[d] having been predestined^(Q) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose^(R) of his will,

⁴ But because of his great love for us,^(A) God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions^(B)—it is by grace you have been saved.^{(C) 6} And God raised us up with Christ^(D) and seated us with him^(E) in the heavenly realms^(F) in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,^(G) expressed in his kindness^(H) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace^(I) you have been saved,^(J) through faith^(K)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works,^(L) so that no one can boast.^{(M) 10} For we are God’s handiwork,^(N) created^(O) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(P) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

²⁹ For those God foreknew^(A) he also predestined^(B) to be conformed to the image of his Son,^(C) that he might be the firstborn^(D) among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined,^(E) he also called;^(F) those he called, he also justified;^(G) those he justified, he also glorified.^(H)

¹⁸ When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”^(A)

⁴⁸ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord;^(A) and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.