OET-RV ROM Chapter 11

11 Therefore I’m asking: Did God push his chosen people away? May it never be, because I also am an Israeli, a descendant of Abraham in the tribe of Benyamin.[ref] 2 No, God didn’t push away his people that he knew before he chose them. Or don’t you know what Eliyah wrote when he pleaded with God to deal with Israel:[ref] 3 ‘Master, they killed your prophets and tore down your altars, and I was left alone and now they want to kill me!’ 4 But what was the revelation that was given to him:[ref] ‘I’ve kept aside seven thousand others who haven’t worshipped Baal.’ 5 So too also at the present time, there’s a small proportion who’ve been chosen by God’s grace. 6 So if it’s by grace, then it’s no longer by their actions, otherwise the grace wouldn’t be grace at all.

7 What’s the conclusion then? The Israelis didn’t find what they were looking for. Only the chosen ones reaching it and the rest were hardened 8 just like is was written:[ref]

‘God gave them a lethargic spirit:

Eyes which can’t see and ears which can’t hear,

even to this very day.’

9 And as David wrote:[ref]

‘Let their table become a trap for them—

a temptation that will pay them back.

10 Let their eyes be darkened so they can’t see,

and their backs be bent through all time.’

11 So now I ask: didn’t they stumble so that they would fall? May it never be. But because of their disobedience, salvation came to non-Jews in order to make Jews envious. 12 But if their disobedience led to gain for the rest of the world and if their loss led to gain for the non-Jews, how much more their fullness?

13 But now I am speaking to you all non-Jews. Since I am indeed a missionary to the non-Jews, I take pride in my ministry, 14 hoping that somehow I might make my fellow Jews envious and might save some of them. 15 Because if their rejection of the messiah meant that the rest of the world would be reconciled, what else could their acceptance bring other than coming back to life from the dead.

16 If the first portion of dough is holy, so is the lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you non-Jews who are like a wild, olive tree were grafted into them and so you too were able to share in the growth of the olive tree that was sourced in the root, 18 then don’t brag that you’re better than the branches. If you must boast, remember that you’re not supporting the root, but the root is supporting you.

19 Ah, but then you’ll say, ‘Branches were broken off so that we could be grafted in.’ 20 Well you’re right. They were broken off because of their unbelief, and it’s true that you’re there because of your faith. But don’t get a big head—maintain your reverence for God, 21 because if he didn’t spare the natural branches when they showed unbelief, then he won’t spare you either. 22 So you can both God’s kindness and his severity: those who disobeyed experienced his severity but you experienced his kindness. Otherwise you also will be pruned off, 23 and also if they turn from their unbelief, they’ll be grafted back in, because God has the power to do that. 24 If were cut off an olive tree that’s wild by nature, and contrary to normal practice were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more would those who naturally belong be grafted into their own olive tree!

25 Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you all be to ignorant of this mystery so that you won’t end up becoming proud: There’s a partial hardening coming to the Jews until the fullness of the non-Jews comes to pass 26 and then all the Jews will be saved as it’s been written:[ref]

‘The rescuer will be coming out of Zion.

He will drive ungodliness away from Yacob.

27 And this is my agreement with them,[ref]

whenever I might take away their sins.’

28 Concerning the good message, the Jews are enemies for your sake, but concerning being chosen, they are loved because of their ancestors, 29 because God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 You non-Jews didn’t originally believe in God, but now you’ve all been shown mercy because of the disbelief of these Jews. 31 Those Jews disbelieved so that as you receive mercy, they may also now be shown mercy, 32 because God imprisoned them all in disbelief so that he might show mercy to everyone.

33 [ref]Yes, The God’s wisdom and knowledge are both so richly deep. His judgements can’t be understood and his paths can’t be tracked, 34 because:[ref]

‘Who can know the master’s mind

or become his counsellor?’

35 [ref]‘Who has been able to give him something,

so that God now needs to repay them?’

36 [ref]Yes, because everything comes from God, and everything comes through him and to him. May he be honoured throughout the ages. May it be so.