Romans 11

I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. Begin Abide·

God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: Begin Abide·

“Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? Begin Abide·

And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” Begin Abide·

In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. Begin Abide·

And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. Begin Abide·

What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, Begin Abide·

as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” Begin Abide·

And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them. Begin Abide·

May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” Begin Abide·

I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. Begin Abide·

But if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! Begin Abide·

I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry Begin Abide·

in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them. Begin Abide·

For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? Begin Abide·

If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches. Begin Abide·

Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, Begin Abide·

do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. Begin Abide·

You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Begin Abide·

That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. Begin Abide·

For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will certainly not spare you either. Begin Abide·

Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. Begin Abide·

And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. Begin Abide·

For if you were cut from a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into one that is cultivated, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! Begin Abide·

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. Begin Abide·

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. Begin Abide·

And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Begin Abide·

Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. Begin Abide·

For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Begin Abide·

Just as you who formerly disobeyed God have now received mercy through their disobedience, Begin Abide·

so they too have now disobeyed, in order that they too may now receive mercy through the mercy shown to you. Begin Abide·

For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone. Begin Abide·

O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! Begin Abide·

“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” Begin Abide·

“Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” Begin Abide·

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen. Begin Abide·