Romans 9:10-21

New International Version

¹⁰ Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.^{(A) 11} Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad^(B)—in order that God’s purpose^(C) in election might stand: ¹² not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”^{[a](D) 13} Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”^[b](E)

¹⁴ What then shall we say?^(F) Is God unjust? Not at all!^{(G) 15} For he says to Moses,

¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.^{(I) 17} For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”^{[d](J) 18} Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.^(K)

¹⁹ One of you will say to me:^(L) “Then why does God still blame us?^(M) For who is able to resist his will?”^{(N) 20} But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God?^(O) “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,^(P) ‘Why did you make me like this?’”^{[e](Q) 21} Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?^(R)