²⁶ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me,^(A) not because you saw the signs^(B) I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures^(C) to eternal life,^(D) which the Son of Man^(E) will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal^(F) of approval.”

²⁸ Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe^(G) in the one he has sent.”^(H)

³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign^(I) then will you give that we may see it and believe you?^(J) What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna^(K) in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’^[a]”^(L)

³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven^(M) and gives life to the world.”

³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”^(N)

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am^(O) the bread of life.^(P) Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes^(Q) in me will never be thirsty.^(R)

²⁵ As he says in Hosea:

²⁶ and,

¹⁴ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”^[a](A)

¹⁶ But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.^(B) For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”^{[b](C) 17} Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,^(D) and the message is heard through the word about Christ.^{(E) 18} But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

¹⁹ Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,

²⁰ And Isaiah boldly says,

²¹ But concerning Israel he says,

The Remnant of Israel

11 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means!^(K) I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham,^(L) from the tribe of Benjamin.^{(M) 2} God did not reject his people,^(N) whom he foreknew.^(O) Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: ³ “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”^[g]?^{(P) 4} And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”^{[h](Q) 5} So too, at the present time there is a remnant^(R) chosen by grace.^{(S) 6} And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works;^(T) if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

⁷ What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain.^(U) The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,^{(V) 8} as it is written:

⁹ And David says:

Ingrafted Branches

¹¹ Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all!^(AA) Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles^(AB) to make Israel envious.^{(AC) 12} But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles,^(AD) how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you;^(A) bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.^{(B) 16} Live in harmony with one another.^(C) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.^(D)

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil.^(E) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.^{(F) 18} If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^{(G) 19} Do not take revenge,^(H) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[b](I) says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,^(A) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,^{(B) 29} for our “God is a consuming fire.”^[a](C)