^4 (A)even as he ^(B)chose us in him ^(C)before the foundation of the world, that we should be ^(D)holy and blameless before him. In love ^5 (E)he predestined us^[a] for ^(F)adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, ^(G)according to the purpose of his will,

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

³³ Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? ^(A)It is God who justifies.

¹¹ though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of ^(A)him who calls— ¹² she was told, ^(B)“The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ As it is written, ^(C)“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

¹⁴ What shall we say then? ^(D)Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! ¹⁵ For he says to Moses, ^(E)“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” ¹⁶ So then it depends not on human will or exertion,^[a] but on God, who has mercy. ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ^(F)“For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” ¹⁸ So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

¹⁹ You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For ^(G)who can resist his will?” ²⁰ But who are you, O man, ^(H)to answer back to God? ^(I)Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” ^21 (J)Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump ^(K)one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? ²² What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience ^(L)vessels of wrath ^(M)prepared for destruction, ²³ in order to make known ^(N)the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he ^(O)has prepared beforehand for glory—

¹⁶ You did not choose me, but ^(A)I chose you and appointed you that you should go and ^(B)bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that ^(C)whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

²⁰ And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for ^(A)the sake of the elect, whom ^(B)he chose, he shortened the days.

Stand Firm

¹³ But ^(A)we ought always to give thanks to God for you, ^(B)brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you ^(C)as the firstfruits^{[a] (D)}to be saved, ^(E)through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.