11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad(A)—in order that God’s purpose(B) in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”[a](C) 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”[b](D)

14 What then shall we say?(E) Is God unjust? Not at all!(F) 15 For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
    and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”[c](G)

16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.(H) 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”[d](I) 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.(J)

19 One of you will say to me:(K) “Then why does God still blame us?(L) For who is able to resist his will?”(M) 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God?(N) “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,(O) ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[e](P) 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?(Q)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 9:12 Gen. 25:23
  2. Romans 9:13 Mal. 1:2,3
  3. Romans 9:15 Exodus 33:19
  4. Romans 9:17 Exodus 9:16
  5. Romans 9:20 Isaiah 29:16; 45:9

11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

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