Part 36 (2/2)

(19)For the earnest longing of the creation is waiting for the revelation of the sons of G.o.d. (20)For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly (but by reason of him who made it subject), in hope (21)that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of G.o.d. (22)For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. (23)And not only so, but ourselves also, though we have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

(24)For we were saved in hope; but hope that is seen is not hope; for what a man sees, why does he also hope for? (25)But if we hope for that we see not, we with patience wait for it. (26)And in like manner does the Spirit also help our weakness; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered. (27)And he who searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of G.o.d.

(28)And we know that all things work together for good to those who love G.o.d, to those who are called according to his purpose.

(29)Because whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. (30)And whom he predestined, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

(31)What then shall we say to these things? If G.o.d is for us, who shall be against us? (32)He who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? (33)Who shall lay any thing to the charge of G.o.d's chosen? G.o.d is he that justifies; (34)who is he that condemns? Christ is he that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is also at the right hand of G.o.d, who also intercedes for us. (35)Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36)As it is written:

For, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for slaughter.

(37)Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38)For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, neither angels nor princ.i.p.alities nor powers, neither things present nor things to come, (39)neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of G.o.d, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

IX.

I SAY the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, (2)that I have great grief and continual anguish in my heart. (3)For I myself could wish to be accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh; (4)who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service, and the promises; (5)whose are the fathers, and of whom as to the flesh is Christ, who is over all, G.o.d blessed forever. Amen.

(6)Not as though the word of G.o.d has failed. For not all they are Israel, who are of Israel; (7)neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children; but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (8)That is, not they who are the children of the flesh are children of G.o.d; but the children of the promise are reckoned as seed.

(9)For the word of promise is this: At this season I will come, and Sarah shall have a son. (10)And not only so; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, our father Isaac (11)(for they being not yet born, nor having done anything good or evil, that the purpose of G.o.d according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls), (12)it was said to her: The elder shall serve the younger.

(13)As it is written:

Jacob I loved, But Esau I hated.

(14)What then shall we say? Is there unrighteousness with G.o.d? Far be it! (15)For he says to Moses: I will have mercy on whomsoever I have mercy, and I will have compa.s.sion on whomsoever I have compa.s.sion.

(16)So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of G.o.d who shows mercy, (17)For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: Even for this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show forth my power in thee, and that my name might be declared in all the earth.

(18)So that, on whom he will he has mercy, and whom he will he hardens.

(19)Thou wilt say then to me: Why then does he yet find fault? For who resists his will? (20)Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against G.o.d? Shall the thing formed say to him who formed it: Why didst thou make me thus?

(21)Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? (22)And what if G.o.d, willing to show forth his wrath, and to make known his power, endured with much long-suffering vessels of wrath fitted for destruction; (23)and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he had before prepared for glory; (24)whom he also called, even us, not from among the Jews only, but also from among the Gentiles? (25)As also he says in Hosea:

I will call them my people, who were not my people; And her beloved, who was not beloved.

(26)And it shall be, that in the place where it was said to them, Ye are not my people, there shall they be called, Sons of the living G.o.d.

(27)And Isaiah cries concerning Israel:

Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant shall be saved; (28)For he will finish the work[9:28a], And cut it short in righteousness; Because a short work[9:28b] will the Lord make upon the earth.

(29)And as Isaiah has said before:

Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We had become as Sodom, And been made like to Gomorrah.

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