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It is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel, nor are they all children because they are descendants of Abraham, but “In Isaac shall your descendants be called.”[a] So those who are the children of the flesh are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. For this is the word of promise, “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.”[b]

10 Not only that, but Rebekah also had conceived by one man, our father Isaac. 11 For before the children had been born, having done neither evil nor good, so that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but through Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “The elder shall serve the younger.”[c] 13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”[d]

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid! 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.”[e]

16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

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