³ “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”^[a]?^{(A) 4} And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”^{[b](B) 5} So too, at the present time there is a remnant^(C) chosen by grace.^{(D) 6} And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works;^(E) if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

⁷ What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain.^(F) The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,^{(G) 8} as it is written:

¹⁶ But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.^(A) For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”^{[a](B) 17} Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,^(C) and the message is heard through the word about Christ.^{(D) 18} But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

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

²⁰ And Isaiah boldly says,