The Salvation of the Gentiles

¹¹ So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their stumbling^[a] salvation has come to the gentiles, so as to make Israel^[b] jealous.^(A)

³¹ so also they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they also may now^[a] receive mercy.

⁴⁶ Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the gentiles.^{(A) 47} For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,

⁴⁸ When the gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord, and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers.

¹² Now if their stumbling^[a] means riches for the world and if their loss means riches for gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

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

¹⁴ in order to make my own people^[a] jealous and thus save some of them.^(A)

²⁴ Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe. ²⁵ So they disagreed with each other, and as they were leaving Paul made one further statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,

²⁸ “Let it be known to you, then, that this salvation of God has been sent to the gentiles; they will listen.”^[a]

⁶ When they opposed and reviled him, in protest he shook the dust from his clothes^[a] and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the gentiles.”^(A)

Israel’s Rejection Is Not Final

11 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.^(A)