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10 Neither was it so with her only, but also when Rebecca was pregnant with twins by one – I mean, by our father Isaac. 11 Before the children were born, when they had done neither good nor bad, so that the purpose of God which is by election would stand, it was said to her, not by reason of works, but by the grace of the caller: 12 The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written: Jacob he loved, but Esau he hated.

14 What shall we say then? Is there any unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he says to Moses: I will show mercy to whom I show mercy, and will have compassion on whom I have compassion. 16 So then, it lies not in a man’s will or running, but in the mercy of God. 17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh: For this very purpose I have stirred you up, to show my power on you, and so that my name may be declared throughout all the world. 18 Therefore he has mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will, he makes hardhearted.

19 You will say to me then, So why does he still blame us? For who can resist his will? 20 But, O man, what are you to dispute with God? Shall the work say to the workman, Why have you made me this way? 21 Does the potter not have power over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 Accordingly, God, intending to show his wrath and to make his power known, suffered with long patience the vessels of wrath fitted to damnation, 23 in order to show the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had prepared for glory – 24 that is to say, us, whom he called not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles.

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