[1] I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
[2] God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?
[3] “Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.”
[4] But what is the divine response to him? “I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.”
[5] In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice.
[6] But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
[7] What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;
[8] just as it is written, “GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.”
[9] And David says, “LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.
[10] “LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER.”
[11] I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.
[12] Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!
[13] But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
[14] if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.
[15] For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
[16] If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
[17] But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,
[18] do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
[19] You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
[20] Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;
[21] for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.
[22] Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
[23] And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
[24] For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
[25] For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
[26] and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.”
[27] “THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.”
[28] From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers;
[29] for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
[30] For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,
[31] so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.
[32] For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
[33] Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
[34] For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?
[35] Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?
[36] For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.