9 I’m not lying—I’m speaking truthfully in Messiah, and both my conscience and the holy spirit agree 2 that my sorrow is extensive and the sorrow in my heart just won’t stop 3 because I myself was hoping to be a sacrifice from the messiah for my brothers and sisters, my fellow-citizens in this world. 4 [ref]They’re the descendants of Israel who’ve been adopted as God’s children and God revealed his power and the agreements and the Law and the temple worship and the promises. 5 The patriarchs are Jewish and the messiah who is over everything came from them in a body. May God be blessed throughout the ages. May it be so.

6 But it’s not that God’s message has fallen. Not all of Israel’s descendants are pro-Israel, 7 [ref]nor are all of Abraham’s descendants his children, but, ‘It’s through Isaak that your descendants will be counted.’ 8 That isn’t talking about worldly children—these are God’s children, but the children of the promise are being counted as descendants. 9 [ref]Because this is the message of the promise: ‘I will be coming and Sarah will have a son.’

10 And not only that, but also Rebekah from one pregnancy delivered twins, one being our ancestor Isaac. 11 [ref]Before they were born, and so before they could do anything good or bad, in order that God’s choice purpose would stand 12 (not by actions but by God’s calling), she was told, ‘The older child will serve the younger one.’ 13 [ref]As it was written: ‘I loved Yacob but I hated Esau.’

14 So what should we say then? Is God not an impartial judge, i.e., unfair? May it never be, 15 [ref]because he said to Moses: ‘I will be merciful to whoever I want, and I will have pity on anyone I want.’ 16 In other words, it doesn’t depend on the willingness or activities of the person, but on God’s mercy. 17 [ref]Because in the scriptures, God says to the king of Egypt: ‘I chose you as king so that I can demonstrate my power through you, and so that my name will be talked about all over the world.’ 18 In other words, God will be merciful to whoever he wants, but he hardens whoever he wants.