16 So then, it does not depend on the person who [a]wants it nor the one who [b](A)runs, but on (B)God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “(C)For this very reason I raised you up, in order to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed [c]throughout the earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He (D)hardens whom He desires.

19 (E)You will say to me then, “(F)Why does He still find fault? For (G)who has resisted His will?” 20 On the contrary, who are you, [d](H)you foolish person, who (I)answers back to God? (J)The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21 Or does the potter not have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one object [e]for honorable use, and another [f]for common use? 22 [g]What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with great (K)patience objects of wrath (L)prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known (M)the riches of His glory upon (N)objects of mercy, which He (O)prepared beforehand for glory, 24 namely us, whom He also (P)called, (Q)not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles, 25 as He also says in Hosea:

(R)I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’
And her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’”
26 (S)And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not My people,’
There they shall be called sons of (T)the living God.”

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 9:16 Or wills nor
  2. Romans 9:16 I.e., to win mercy or favor
  3. Romans 9:17 Lit in all
  4. Romans 9:20 Lit O
  5. Romans 9:21 Lit for honor
  6. Romans 9:21 Lit for dishonor
  7. Romans 9:22 Lit But

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