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

²⁶ When God raised up^(A) his servant, he sent him first^(B) to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

¹³ Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse^[a](A) among the nations, so I will save^(B) you, and you will be a blessing.^[b](C) Do not be afraid,^(D) but let your hands be strong.^(E)”

³ For I could wish that I myself^(A) were cursed^(B) and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people,^(C) those of my own race,^{(D) 4} the people of Israel.^(E) Theirs is the adoption to sonship;^(F) theirs the divine glory,^(G) the covenants,^(H) the receiving of the law,^(I) the temple worship^(J) and the promises.^(K)

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!