Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

But Not All Abraham’s Physical Children Are Children of God

⁶ But it is not such as that the word of God has failed— for not all^[a] these ones from Israel are Israel. ⁷ Nor are they all children because they are seed of Abraham, but “In Isaac a seed will be called for you” [Gen 21:12]. ⁸ That is, these children of the flesh are not children of God, but the children of ^[b] the promise are counted for seed. ⁹ For the word of promise is this: “I will come at this time, and there will be a son to Sarah” [Gen 18:10]. ¹⁰ And not only this, but there is also Rebekah having bed^[c] from one man, Isaac our father. ¹¹ For the twins having not yet been born nor having done anything good or bad— in order that the purpose^[d] of God according to His choosing^[e] might continue^[f], ¹² not of works but of the One calling— it was said to her [in Gen 25:23] that “the older will serve the younger”. ¹³ Just as it has been written [in Mal 1:2-3]: “I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau”.

God Has Mercy On Whom He Wants, And He Hardens Whom He Wants

¹⁴ Therefore what shall we say? There is not unrighteousness^[g] with God, is there? May it never be! ¹⁵ For He says to Moses [in Ex 33:19], “I will have-mercy-on whomever I have-mercy, and I will have-compassion-on whomever I have compassion”. ¹⁶ So then, mercy is not of ^[h] the one wanting, nor of the one running, but of the One having-mercy^[i]— God. ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to Pharaoh [in Ex 9:16] that “I raised you up for this very purpose: so that I might demonstrate My power^[j] in you, and so that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth”. ¹⁸ So then, He has-mercy-on whom He wants, and He hardens^[k] whom He wants.