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10 And not only that,(A) but Rebekah conceived children(B) through one man, our father Isaac. 11 For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand(C) 12 not from works but from the one who calls – she was told, The elder will serve the younger.[a](D) 13 As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.[b](E)

God’s Selection Is Just

14 What should we say then?(F) Is there injustice with God?(G) Absolutely not!(H) 15 For he tells Moses, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.[c](I) 16 So then, it does not depend on human will or effort,(J) but on God who shows mercy.(K) 17 For the Scripture tells Pharaoh, I raised you up for this reason, so that I may display my power in you and that my name may be proclaimed in the whole earth.[d](L) 18 So then, he has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy and he hardens whom he wants to harden.(M)

19 You will say to me,(N) therefore, ‘Why then does he still find fault?(O) For who resists his will? ’(P) 20 On the contrary, who are you, a human being, to talk back to God?(Q) Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this? ’(R) 21 Or has the potter no right over the clay,(S) to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honour and another for dishonour? 22 And what if God, wanting to display his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience(T) objects of wrath prepared for destruction?(U) 23 And what if he did this to make known the riches of his glory(V) on objects of mercy(W) that he prepared beforehand for glory(X) –  24 on us, the ones he also called,(Y) not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?(Z)

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