Romans 11

1 So I ask, “God has not rejected his people, has he?” Of course not! I am an Israeli myself, a descendant of Abraham from the tribe of Benjamin.ISV — Romans 11:1

2 God has not rejected his people whom he chose ^{a11:2 Lit. knew} long ago. Do you not know what the Scripture says in the story about Elijah, ^{b11:2 The Gk. lacks the story about} when he pleads with God against Israel?ISV — Romans 11:2

3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and demolished your altars. I am the only one left, and they are trying to take my life.” ^{c11:3 Cf. 1 Kings 19:10, 14}ISV — Romans 11:3

4 But what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for myself 7,000 people who have not knelt to worship Baal.” ^{d11:4 Cf. 1 Kings 19:18}ISV — Romans 11:4

5 So it is at the present time: there is a remnant, chosen by grace.ISV — Romans 11:5

6 But if this is by grace, then it is no longer on the basis of actions. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.ISV — Romans 11:6

7 What, then, does this mean? ^{e11:7 The Gk. lacks does this mean} It means that Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking, but the selected group obtained it while the rest were hardened.ISV — Romans 11:7

8 As it is written, “To this day God has put them into ^{f11:8 Lit. has given them a spirit of} deep sleep. Their eyes do not see, and their ears do not hear.” ^{g11:8 Cf. Deut 29:4; Isa 29:10}ISV — Romans 11:8

9 And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a punishment for them.ISV — Romans 11:9

10 Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and keep their backs forever bent.” ^{h11:10 Cf. Ps 69:22-23; 35:8}ISV — Romans 11:10

11 And so I ask, “They have not stumbled so as to fall, have they?” Of course not! On the contrary, because of their stumbling, salvation has come to the gentiles to make the Jews ^{i11:11 Lit. them} jealous.ISV — Romans 11:11

12 Now if their stumbling means riches for the world, and if their fall means riches for the gentiles, how much more will their full participation mean!ISV — Romans 11:12

13 I am speaking to you gentiles. Because I am an apostle to the gentiles, I magnify my ministryISV — Romans 11:13

14 in the hope that I can make my people ^{j11:14 Lit. flesh} jealous and save some of them.ISV — Romans 11:14

15 For if their rejection results in reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance bring but life from the dead?ISV — Romans 11:15

16 If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch. If the root is holy, so are the branches.ISV — Romans 11:16

17 Now if some of the branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive branch, have been grafted in their place to share the rich root of the olive tree,ISV — Romans 11:17

18 do not boast about being better than ^{k11:18 The Gk. lacks being better than} the other ^{l11:18 The Gk. lacks other} branches. If you boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.ISV — Romans 11:18

19 Then you will say, “Branches were cut off so that I could be grafted in.”ISV — Romans 11:19

20 That’s right! They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you remain only because of faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid! ^{m11:20 Or be reverent}ISV — Romans 11:20

21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he certainly will not spare you, either.ISV — Romans 11:21

22 Consider, then, the kindness and severity of God: his severity toward those who fell, but God’s kindness toward you—if you continue receiving his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off.ISV — Romans 11:22

23 If the Jews ^{n11:23 Lit. they} do not persist in their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, because God is able to graft them in.ISV — Romans 11:23

24 After all, if you were cut off from what is naturally a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much easier it will be for these natural branches to be grafted back into their own olive tree!ISV — Romans 11:24

25 For I want to let you know about this secret, brothers, so that you will not claim to be wiser than you are: Stubbornness has come to part of Israel until the full number of the gentiles comes to faith. ^{o11:25 The Gk. lacks to faith} 26In this way, all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion; he will remove ungodliness from Jacob.ISV — Romans 11:25

26 ISV — Romans 11:26

27 This is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” ^{p11:27 Cf. Isa 59:20-21}ISV — Romans 11:27

28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake, but as far as election is concerned, they are loved for the sake of their ancestors.ISV — Romans 11:28

29 For God’s gifts and calling never change.ISV — Romans 11:29

30 For just as you disobeyed God in the past but now have received his mercy because of their disobedience,ISV — Romans 11:30

31 so they, too, have now disobeyed. As a result, they may ^{q11:31 Other mss. read may now} receive mercy because of the mercy shown to you.ISV — Romans 11:31

32 For God has locked all people in the prison of their own disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.ISV — Romans 11:32

33 O how deep are God’s riches, and wisdom, and knowledge! How unfathomable are his decisions and unexplainable are his ways!ISV — Romans 11:33

34 Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become his adviser? ^{r11:34 Cf. Isa 40:13 (LXX)}ISV — Romans 11:34

35 Or who has given him something only to have him pay it back?” ^{s11:35 Cf. Job 41:11}ISV — Romans 11:35

36 For all things are from him, by him, and for him. Glory belongs to him forever! Amen.ISV — Romans 11:36