⁵ So too, at the present time there is a remnant^(A) chosen by grace.^{(B) 6} And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works;^(C) if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,^(A) nor is there male and female,^(B) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.^{(C) 29} If you belong to Christ,^(D) then you are Abraham’s seed,^(E) and heirs^(F) according to the promise.^(G)

¹⁸ and through your offspring^[a] all nations on earth will be blessed,^[b](A) because you have obeyed me.”^(B)

¹⁶ The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.^(A) Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”^[a](B) meaning one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years^(C) later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;^(D) but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

¹⁹ Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions^(E) until the Seed^(F) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels^(G) and entrusted to a mediator.^(H)

¹⁶ If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits^(A) is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

¹⁷ If some of the branches have been broken off,^(B) and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others^(C) and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, ¹⁸ do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.^{(D) 19} You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ²⁰ Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith.^(E) Do not be arrogant,^(F) but tremble.^{(G) 21} For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

²² Consider therefore the kindness^(H) and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue^(I) in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.^{(J) 23} And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.^{(K) 24} After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree,^(L) how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

All Israel Will Be Saved

²⁵ I do not want you to be ignorant^(M) of this mystery,^(N) brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited:^(O) Israel has experienced a hardening^(P) in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,^{(Q) 26} and in this way^[a] all Israel will be saved.^(R) As it is written:

²⁸ As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies^(T) for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,^{(U) 29} for God’s gifts and his call^(V) are irrevocable.^(W)

¹⁵ Has not the one God made you?^(A) You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring.^[a](B) So be on your guard,^(C) and do not be unfaithful^(D) to the wife of your youth.

⁸ This is what the Lord says: