1I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— (Ro 1:9; 2Co 11:10; 2Co 12:19; Ga 1:20; 1Ti 2:7)2that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers,[1] my kinsmen according to the flesh. (Ex 32:32; Ro 11:14; 1Co 12:3; 1Co 16:22; Ga 1:8)4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. (Ge 17:2; Ex 4:22; Ex 40:34; De 4:14; De 29:14; 1Sa 4:21; 1Ki 8:11; Ps 147:19; Joh 4:22; Ac 13:32; Ro 2:28; Ro 8:15; Ro 9:6; Ro 12:1; Ga 4:24; Ga 6:16; Eph 2:12; Heb 9:1)5To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. (Joh 1:1; Ro 1:25; Ro 11:28; 2Co 11:31; Eph 4:6; Col 1:16; Heb 1:8)6But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,7and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” (Ge 21:12; Joh 8:33; Ga 3:29; Ga 4:23; Heb 11:18)8This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. (Ga 4:23; Ga 4:28)9For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Ge 17:21; Ge 18:10; Ge 18:14)10And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, (Ge 25:21)11though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— (Ro 4:17; Ro 8:28)12she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” (Ge 25:23)13As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (Mal 1:2)14What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! (De 32:4; 2Ch 19:7; Job 8:3; Job 34:10; Ps 92:15)15For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” (Ex 33:19)16So then it depends not on human will or exertion,[2] but on God, who has mercy.17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” (Ex 9:16)18So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.19You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” (2Ch 20:6; Job 9:12; Da 4:35)20But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” (Job 33:13; Isa 29:16; Isa 45:9)21Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Isa 64:8; Jer 18:6; 2Ti 2:20)22What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, (Pr 16:4; Ac 9:15; Ro 9:21; Ro 9:23; 1Pe 2:8)23in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— (Ro 2:4; Ro 8:29; Eph 3:16)24even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? (Ro 3:29; Ro 8:28)25As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’” (Ho 2:23; 1Pe 2:10)26“And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” (Ho 1:10; Mt 16:16; Ro 8:14)27And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel[3] be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, (Isa 10:22; Ho 1:10; Ro 11:5)28for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.”29And as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.” (De 29:23; Isa 1:9; Isa 13:19; Jer 49:18; Jer 50:40; Am 4:11; Jas 5:4)
Israel’s Unbelief
30What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; (Ro 1:17; Ro 3:21; Ro 10:6; Ro 10:20; Ga 2:16; Ga 3:24; Php 3:9; Heb 11:7)31but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness[4] did not succeed in reaching that law. (Ro 10:2; Ro 11:7; Ga 5:4)32Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, (1Pe 2:8)33as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Ps 118:22; Isa 8:14; Isa 28:16; Isa 49:23; Joe 2:26; Ro 10:11; 1Pe 2:6)
Romans 9
New International Version
Paul’s anguish over Israel
1I speak the truth in Christ – I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit –2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race,4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, for ever praised![1] Amen.
God’s sovereign choice
6It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’ (Ge 21:12)8In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.9For this was how the promise was stated: ‘At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.’ (Ge 18:10; Ge 18:14)10Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.11Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad – in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:12not by works but by him who calls – she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ (Ge 25:23)13Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’ (Mal 1:2; Mal 1:3)14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!15For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ (Ex 33:19)16It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.17For Scripture says to Pharaoh: ‘I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ (Ex 9:16)18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.19One of you will say to me: ‘Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?’20But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? ‘Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” ’ (Isa 29:16; Isa 45:9)21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?22What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath – prepared for destruction?23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory –24even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?25As he says in Hosea: ‘I will call them “my people” who are not my people; and I will call her “my loved one” who is not my loved one,’ (Ho 2:23)26and, ‘In the very place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” there they will be called “children of the living God.” ’ (Ho 1:10)27Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: ‘Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.28For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.’[2] (Isa 10:22; Isa 10:23)29It is just as Isaiah said previously: ‘Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.’ (Isa 1:9)
Israel’s unbelief
30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;31but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal.32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the ‘stumbling stone’.33As it is written: ‘See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ (Isa 8:14; Isa 28:16)
Romans 9
King James Version
1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.6Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.8That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.10And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)12It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.14What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.15For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?25As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.26And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.27Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:28For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.29And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 9
New International Reader’s Version
Paul mourns for Israel
1I speak the truth in Christ. I am not lying. My mind tells me that what I say is true. It is guided by the Holy Spirit.2My heart is full of sorrow. My sadness never ends.3I am so concerned about my people, who are members of my own race. I am ready to be cursed, if that would help them. I am even willing to be separated from Christ.4They are the people of Israel. They have been adopted as God’s children. God’s glory belongs to them. So do the covenants. They received the law. They were taught to worship in the temple. They were given the promises.5The founders of our nation belong to them. The Messiah comes from their family line. He is God over all. May he always be praised! Amen.
God’s free choice
6I do not mean that God’s word has failed. Not everyone in the family line of Israel really belongs to Israel.7Not everyone in Abraham’s family line is really his child. Not at all! Scripture says, ‘Your family line will continue through Isaac.’ (Ge 21:12)8In other words, God’s children are not just in the family line of Abraham. Instead, they are the children God promised to him. They are the ones considered to be Abraham’s children.9God promised, ‘I will return at the appointed time. Sarah will have a son.’ (Ge 18:10; Ge 18:14)10And that’s not all. Rebekah’s children were born at the same time by the same father. He was our father Isaac.11Here is what happened. Rebekah’s twins had not even been born. They hadn’t done anything good or bad yet. So they show that God’s purpose is based firmly on his free choice.12It was not because of anything they did but because of God’s choice. So Rebekah was told, ‘The elder son will serve the younger one.’ (Ge 25:23)13It is written, ‘I chose Jacob instead of Esau.’ (Mal 1:2; Mal 1:3)14What should we say then? Is God unfair? Not at all!15He said to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy. I will show love to those I love.’ (Ex 33:19)16So it doesn’t depend on what people want or what they do. It depends on God’s mercy.17In Scripture, God says to Pharaoh, ‘I had a special reason for making you king. I decided to use you to show my power. I wanted my name to become known everywhere on earth.’ (Ex 9:16)18So God does what he wants to do. He shows mercy to one person and makes another stubborn.19One of you will say to me, ‘Then why does God still blame us? Who can oppose what he wants to do?’20But you are a mere human being. So who are you to talk back to God? Scripture says, ‘Can what is made say to the one who made it, “Why did you make me like this?” ’ (Isa 29:16; Isa 45:9)21Isn’t the potter free to make different kinds of pots out of the same lump of clay? Some are for special purposes. Others are for ordinary use.22What if God chose to show his great anger? What if he chose to make his power known? But he put up with the people he was angry with. They were made to be destroyed.23What if he put up with them to show the riches of his glory to other people? Those other people are the ones he shows his mercy to. He made them to receive his glory.24We are those people. He has chosen us. We do not come only from the Jewish race. Many of us are not Jews.25God says in Hosea, ‘I will call those who are not my people “my people.” I will call the one who is not my loved one “my loved one.” ’ (Ho 2:23)26He also says, ‘Once it was said to them, “You are not my people.” In that very place they will be called “children of the living God.” ’ (Ho 1:10)27Isaiah cries out concerning Israel. He says, ‘The number of people from Israel may be like the sand by the sea. But only a few of them will be saved.28The Lord will carry out his sentence. He will be quick to carry it out on earth, once and for all.’ (Isa 10:22; Isa 10:23)29Earlier Isaiah had said, ‘The Lord who rules over all left us children and grandchildren. If he hadn’t, we would have become like Sodom. We would have been like Gomorrah.’ (Isa 1:9)
Israel does not believe
30What should we say then? Gentiles did not look for a way to be right with God. But they found it by having faith.31The people of Israel tried to obey the law to make themselves right with God. But they didn’t reach their goal of being right with God.32Why not? Because they tried to do it without faith. They tried to be right with God by what they did. They tripped over the stone that causes people to trip and fall.33It is written, ‘Look! In Zion I am laying a stone that causes people to trip. It is a rock that makes them fall. The one who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ (Isa 8:14; Isa 28:16)