Israel's Rejection Is Not Final

1I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3‘Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.’ 4But what is the divine reply to him? ‘I have kept for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’ 5So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.11.6 Other ancient authorities add But if it is by works, it is no longer on the basis of grace, otherwise work would no longer be work

7What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8as it is written,

‘God gave them a sluggish spirit,

eyes that would not see

and ears that would not hear,

down to this very day.’

9And David says,

‘Let their table become a snare and a trap,

a stumbling-block and a retribution for them;

10let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,

and keep their backs for ever bent.’

The Salvation of the Gentiles

11So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their stumbling11.11 Gk transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel11.11 Gk them jealous. 12Now if their stumbling11.12 Gk transgression means riches for the world, and if their defeat means riches for Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

13Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry 14in order to make my own people11.14 Gk my flesh jealous, and thus save some of them. 15For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead! 16If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; and if the root is holy, then the branches also are holy.

17But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich root11.17 Other ancient authorities read the richness of the olive tree, 18do not vaunt yourselves over the branches. If you do vaunt yourselves, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. 19You will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ 20That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you.11.21 Other ancient authorities read neither will he spare you 22Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity towards those who have fallen, but God's kindness towards you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23And even those of Israel,11.23 Gk lacks of Israel if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree.

All Israel Will Be Saved

25So that you may not claim to be wiser than you are, brothers and sisters,11.25 Gk brothers I want you to understand this mystery: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written,

‘Out of Zion will come the Deliverer;

he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.’

27‘And this is my covenant with them,

when I take away their sins.’

28As regards the gospel they are enemies of God11.28 Gk lacks of God for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; 29for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now11.31 Other ancient authorities lack now receive mercy. 32For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

33O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!

34‘For who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counsellor?’

35‘Or who has given a gift to him,

to receive a gift in return?’

36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.