¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time ^(A)are not worthy to be compared with the ^(B)glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the ^(C)eagerly awaiting creation waits for ^(D)the revealing of the ^(E)sons and daughters of God. ²⁰ For the creation ^(F)was subjected to ^(G)futility, not willingly, but ^(H)because of Him who subjected it, ^[a]in hope ²¹ that ^(I)the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation ^(J)groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. ^23 (K)And not only that, but also we ourselves, having ^(L)the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves ^(M)groan within ourselves, ^(N)waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, ^(O)the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For ^(P)in hope we have been saved, but ^(Q)hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? ²⁵ But ^(R)if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Our Victory in Christ

²⁶ Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for ^(S)we do not know what to pray for as we should, but ^(T)the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with ^[b]groanings too deep for words; ²⁷ and ^(U)He who searches the hearts knows what ^(V)the mind of the Spirit is, because He ^(W)intercedes for the ^[c]saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that ^[d]God ^[e]causes ^(X)all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are ^(Y)called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He ^(Z)foreknew, He also ^(AA)predestined to become ^(AB)conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the ^(AC)firstborn among many brothers and sisters; ³⁰ and these whom He ^(AD)predestined, He also ^(AE)called; and these whom He called, He also ^(AF)justified; and these whom He justified, He also ^(AG)glorified.

^31 (AH)What then shall we say to these things? ^(AI)If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He who ^(AJ)did not spare His own Son, but ^(AK)delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? ³³ Who will bring charges against ^(AL)God’s elect? ^(AM)God is the one who justifies; ³⁴ who is the one who ^(AN)condemns? Christ Jesus is He who ^(AO)died, but rather, was ^[f](AP)raised, who is ^(AQ)at the right hand of God, who also ^(AR)intercedes for us. ³⁵ Who will separate us from ^(AS)the love of ^[g]Christ? Will ^(AT)tribulation, or trouble, or ^(AU)persecution, or ^(AV)famine, or ^(AW)nakedness, or ^(AX)danger, or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written:

³⁷ But in all these things we overwhelmingly ^(AZ)conquer through ^(BA)Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither ^(BB)death, nor life, nor ^(BC)angels, nor principalities, nor ^(BD)things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from ^(BE)the love of God that is ^(BF)in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Deep Concern for Israel

9 ^(BG)I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, ² that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. ³ For ^(BH)I could ^[h]wish that I myself were ^(BI)accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen ^(BJ)according to the flesh, ⁴ who are ^(BK)Israelites, to whom belongs ^(BL)the adoption as sons and daughters, ^(BM)the glory, ^(BN)the covenants, ^(BO)the giving of the Law, ^(BP)the temple service, and ^(BQ)the promises; ⁵ whose are ^(BR)the fathers, and ^(BS)from whom is the ^[i]Christ according to the flesh, ^(BT)who is over all, ^(BU)God ^(BV)blessed ^[j]forever. Amen.

⁶ But it is not as though ^(BW)the word of God has failed. ^(BX)For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; ⁷ nor are they all children ^(BY)because they are Abraham’s ^[k](BZ)descendants, but: “^[l](CA)through Isaac your ^[m]descendants shall be named.” ⁸ That is, it is not the children of the flesh ^[n]who are ^(CB)children of God, but the ^(CC)children of the promise are regarded as ^[o](CD)descendants. ⁹ For this is the word of promise: “^(CE)At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” ^10 (CF)And not only that, but there was also ^(CG)Rebekah, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; ¹¹ for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that ^(CH)God’s purpose according to His choice would ^[p]stand, not ^[q]because of works but ^[r]because of Him who calls, ¹² it was said to her, “^(CI)The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ Just as it is written: “^(CJ)Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”

^14 (CK)What shall we say then? ^(CL)There is no injustice with God, is there? ^[s](CM)Far from it! ¹⁵ For He says to Moses, “^(CN)I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I show compassion.” ¹⁶ So then, it does not depend on the person who ^[t]wants it nor the one who ^[u](CO)runs, but on ^(CP)God who has mercy. ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “^(CQ)For this very reason I raised you up, in order to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed ^[v]throughout the earth.” ¹⁸ So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He ^(CR)hardens whom He desires.

^19 (CS)You will say to me then, “^(CT)Why does He still find fault? For ^(CU)who has resisted His will?” ²⁰ On the contrary, who are you, ^[w](CV)you foolish person, who ^(CW)answers back to God? ^(CX)The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? ²¹ Or does the potter not have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one object ^[x]for honorable use, and another ^[y]for common use? ^22 [z]What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with great ^(CY)patience objects of wrath ^(CZ)prepared for destruction? ²³ And He did so to make known ^(DA)the riches of His glory upon ^(DB)objects of mercy, which He ^(DC)prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ namely us, whom He also ^(DD)called, ^(DE)not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles, ²⁵ as He also says in Hosea:

²⁷ Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “^(DI)Though the number of the sons of Israel may be ^(DJ)like the sand of the sea, only ^(DK)the remnant will be saved; ^28 (DL)for the Lord will execute His word on the earth, ^[aa]thoroughly and ^[ab]quickly.” ²⁹ And just as Isaiah foretold:

^30 (DQ)What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, but ^(DR)the righteousness that is ^[af]by faith; ³¹ however, Israel, ^(DS)pursuing a law of righteousness, did not ^(DT)arrive at that law. ³² Why? Because they did not pursue it ^[ag]by faith, but as though they could ^[ah]by works. They stumbled over ^(DU)the stumbling stone, ³³ just as it is written:

The Word of Faith Brings Salvation

10 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. ² For I testify about them that they have ^(DZ)a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. ³ For not knowing about ^(EA)God’s righteousness and ^(EB)seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. ⁴ For ^(EC)Christ is the ^[aj]end of the Law for righteousness to ^(ED)everyone who believes.

⁵ For Moses writes of the righteousness that is ^[ak]based on the Law, that the person who performs ^[al]them ^(EE)will live by ^[am]them. ⁶ But ^(EF)the righteousness ^[an]based on faith speaks as follows: “^(EG)Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), ⁷ or ‘Who will descend into the ^(EH)abyss?’ (that is, to ^(EI)bring Christ up from the dead).” ⁸ But what does it say? “^(EJ)The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, ^9 [ao]that ^(EK)if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and ^(EL)believe in your heart that ^(EM)God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; ¹⁰ for with the heart a person believes, ^[ap]resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, ^[aq]resulting in salvation. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “^(EN)Whoever believes in Him will not be ^[ar]put to shame.” ¹² For ^(EO)there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is ^(EP)Lord of ^(EQ)all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; ¹³ for “^(ER)Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

¹⁴ How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him ^(ES)whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without ^(ET)a preacher? ¹⁵ But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: “^(EU)How beautiful are the feet of those who ^[as](EV)bring good news of good things!”

¹⁶ However, they ^(EW)did not all heed the ^[at]good news; for Isaiah says, “^(EX)Lord, who has believed our report?” ¹⁷ So faith comes from ^(EY)hearing, and hearing by ^(EZ)the word ^[au]of Christ.

¹⁸ But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? On the contrary:

¹⁹ But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says,

²⁰ And Isaiah is very bold and says,

²¹ But as for Israel, He says, “^(FE)I have spread out My hands all day long to a disobedient and obstinate people.”