²¹ Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use?^(A)

²⁰ In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special^[a] use, some for ordinary.^{[b](A) 21} All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned^[c] will become special^[d] utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work.^(B)

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel;^(A)

³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. ⁴ The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me: ⁶ Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.^(A)

²² What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath that are made for destruction,^{(A) 23} and what if he has done so in order to make known the riches of his glory for the objects of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—

¹¹ even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue,

¹⁸ So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.