²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good^(A) of those who love him, who^[a] have been called^(B) according to his purpose.^{(C) 29} For those God foreknew^(D) he also predestined^(E) to be conformed to the image of his Son,^(F) that he might be the firstborn^(G) among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined,^(H) he also called;^(I) those he called, he also justified;^(J) those he justified, he also glorified.^(K)

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things?^(L) If God is for us,^(M) who can be against us?^{(N) 32} He who did not spare his own Son,^(O) 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^(P) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns?^(Q) No one. Christ Jesus who died^(R)—more than that, who was raised to life^(S)—is at the right hand of God^(T) and is also interceding for us.^{(U) 35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?^(V) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?^{(W) 36} As it is written:

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

God’s Sovereign Choice

⁶ It is not as though God’s word^(A) had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.^{(B) 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.”^{[a](C) 8} In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children,^(D) but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.^{(E) 9} For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”^[b](F)

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

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

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