Romans 9:9-12

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

⁹ For this is what the promise said, ‘About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.’ ¹⁰ Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestor Isaac. ¹¹ Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue, ¹² not by works but by his call) she was told, ‘The elder shall serve the younger.’