5. whose [are] the fathers, and of whom [is] the Christ, according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed to the ages. Amen.
6. And it is not possible that the word of God hath failed; for not all who [are] of Israel are these Israel;
7. nor because they are seed of Abraham [are] all children, but--`in Isaac shall a seed be called to thee;'
8. that is, the children of the flesh--these [are] not children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for seed;
9. for the word of promise [is] this; `According to this time I will come, and there shall be to Sarah a son.'
10. And not only [so], but also Rebecca, having conceived by one--Isaac our father--
11. (for they being not yet born, neither having done anything good or evil, that the purpose of God, according to choice, might remain; not of works, but of Him who is calling,) it was said to her--
12. `The greater shall serve the less;'
13. according as it hath been written, `Jacob I did love, and Esau I did hate.'
14. What, then, shall we say? unrighteousness [is] with God? let it not be!
15. for to Moses He saith, `I will do kindness to whom I do kindness, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion;'
16. so, then--not of him who is willing, nor of him who is running, but of God who is doing kindness:
17. for the Writing saith to Pharaoh--`For this very thing I did raise thee up, that I might shew in thee My power, and that My name might be declared in all the land;'
18. so, then, to whom He willeth, He doth kindness, and to whom He willeth, He doth harden.
19. Thou wilt say, then, to me, `Why yet doth He find fault? for His counsel who hath resisted?'
20. nay, but, O man, who art thou that art answering again to God? shall the thing formed say to Him who did form [it], Why me didst thou make thus?
21. hath not the potter authority over the clay, out of the same lump to make the one vessel to honour, and the one to dishonour?