²² Are they Hebrews?^[a] So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they from Abraham’s family? So am I.

God and the Jewish People

9 I am in Christ, and I am telling you the truth. I do not lie. My feelings are ruled by the Holy Spirit, and they tell me that I am not lying. ² I have great sorrow and always feel much sadness for the Jewish people. ³ I wish I could help my Jewish brothers, my people. I would even wish that I were cursed and cut off from Christ if that would help them. ⁴ They are the people of Israel. They were God’s chosen children. They have the glory of God and the agreements that God made between himself and his people. God gave them the law of Moses and the right way of worship. And God gave his promises to them. ⁵ They are the descendants of our great ancestors, and they are the earthly family of Christ. Christ is God over all. Praise him forever!^[a] Amen.

God Shows Mercy to All People

11 So I ask: Did God throw out his people? No! I myself am an Israelite. I am from the family of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

⁵ I was circumcised eight days after my birth. I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a Hebrews, and my parents were Hebrews. The law of Moses was very important to me. That is why I became a Pharisee. ⁶ I was so enthusiastic that I tried to hurt the church. No one could find fault with the way I obeyed the law of Moses.