¹⁹ In response, you will say to me, “Why then does he still find fault? Who can resist his will?” ²⁰ But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Can something that is made say to its maker, “Why did you make me like this?” ²¹ Surely, the potter can mold the clay as he wishes. Does he not have the right to make out of the same lump of clay one vessel for a noble purpose and another for ordinary use?

²² What if God, although wishing to show his wrath and to make known his power, nevertheless with great patience endured the objects of his wrath^[a] destined for destruction? ²³ He did so in order to make known the riches of his glory to the recipients of his mercy whom he prepared long ago for glory. ²⁴ We are the ones whom he has called not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles.