Add parallel Print Page Options

14 Shall we say, then, that God is unjust? Not at all. 15 (A)For he said to Moses, “I will have mercy on anyone I wish; I will take pity on anyone I wish.” 16 So then, everything depends, not on what we humans want or do, but only on God's mercy.

Read full chapter

14 (A)What shall we say then? (B)There is no injustice with God, is there? [a](C)Far from it! 15 For He says to Moses, “(D)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 [b]wants it nor the one who [c](E)runs, but on (F)God who has mercy.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 9:14 Lit May it never happen!
  2. Romans 9:16 Or wills nor
  3. Romans 9:16 I.e., to win mercy or favor

14 So are we to say, “It is unjust for God to do this”? Heaven forbid! 15 For to Moshe he says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will pity whom I pity.”[a] 16 Thus it doesn’t depend on human desires or efforts, but on God, who has mercy.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 9:15 Exodus 33:19

14-18 Is that grounds for complaining that God is unfair? Not so fast, please. God told Moses, “I’m in charge of mercy. I’m in charge of compassion.” Compassion doesn’t originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God’s mercy. The same point was made when God said to Pharaoh, “I picked you as a bit player in this drama of my salvation power.” All we’re saying is that God has the first word, initiating the action in which we play our part for better or worse.

Read full chapter