Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
6 But it is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,
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It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his descendants; but "Through Isaac shall your descendants be named."
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Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”
8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are reckoned as descendants.
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In 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.
9 For this is what the promise said, "About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son."
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For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”
10 And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,
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Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.
11 though 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 his call,
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Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:
12 she was told, "The elder will serve the younger."
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not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
13 As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
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Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!
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What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!
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."
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For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 So it depends not upon man's will or exertion, but upon God's mercy.
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It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.