²⁰ “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.

²² “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect^(A) those days will be shortened.

⁸ This is what the Lord says:

²⁸ As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies^(A) for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,^{(B) 29} for God’s gifts and his call^(C) are irrevocable.^{(D) 30} Just as you who were at one time disobedient^(E) to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, ³¹ so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now^[a] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. ³² For God has bound everyone over to disobedience^(F) so that he may have mercy on them all.

²³ And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.^{(A) 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,^(B) how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

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.

⁷ What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain.^(D) The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,^(E)