11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that (A)God’s purpose according to His choice would [a]stand, not [b]because of works but [c]because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “(B)The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “(C)Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”

14 (D)What shall we say then? (E)There is no injustice with God, is there? [d](F)Far from it! 15 For He says to Moses, “(G)I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I show compassion.” 16 So then, it does not depend on the person who [e]wants it nor the one who [f](H)runs, but on (I)God who has mercy.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 9:11 Lit remain
  2. Romans 9:11 Lit from
  3. Romans 9:11 Lit from
  4. Romans 9:14 Lit May it never happen!
  5. Romans 9:16 Or wills nor
  6. Romans 9:16 I.e., to win mercy or favor

11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad(A)—in order that God’s purpose(B) in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”[a](C) 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”[b](D)

14 What then shall we say?(E) Is God unjust? Not at all!(F) 15 For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
    and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”[c](G)

16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 9:12 Gen. 25:23
  2. Romans 9:13 Mal. 1:2,3
  3. Romans 9:15 Exodus 33:19