⁷ The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous^(A) than other peoples, for you were the fewest^(B) of all peoples.^(C)

²² Your ancestors who went down into Egypt were seventy in all,^(A) and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.^(B)

⁶ And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works;^(A) if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

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?^(A)

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

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

¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us^(A) and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.^(B)

²⁷ Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:

²⁹ It is just as Isaiah said previously:

¹⁸ Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.^(A)

³² “Do not be afraid,^(A) little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.^(B)