Romans 11

 

1 I say then, Has God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, born of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

 

2 God has not cast away His people, which He foreknew (desiring to gather them to Himself). Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah? how he makes intercession to God against Israel, saying,

 

3 Lord, they have killed your prophets and dug down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

 

4 But what was the answer God spoke to him? I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men (that I might still gather them), who have not bowed their knee to the image of Baal.

 

5 Even so, at this present time, there is also a remnant (which shall be saved) according to the election of grace (fulfilling God’s desire to glorify them with His life, which He has dreamt for them from the beginning).

 

6 And if (they are only saved) by (looking to the) grace (and strength of God), then it can no longer be from (the) works (they can bring forth by the strength of their own hands): otherwise, grace is no longer grace (but is made void). But if it be by works, then it is no longer grace: otherwise, (the) work is no longer work (that can bring forth the indestructible life that only God can give them).

 

7 What (shall we conclude) then? Israel has not obtained that (righteousness) which it seeks for (by works); but the election has obtained it (by grace), and the rest were blinded.

 

8 {According as it is written, (because they have removed their hearts far from Him) God has given them (over to) the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;} unto this day.

 

9 And David said, Let their table (which should have been for their benefit) be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and (hardened hearts) a recompense to them:

 

10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and make their loins to tremble continually.

 

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall, salvation has come to the Gentiles, so that it might provoke them to jealousy.

 

12 Now if the fall of them (rejecting the grace and mercy of God) has become the riches (to the rest) of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles, how much more the fullness of them (in restoration)?

 

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, as much as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify my office:

 

14 If by any means I may provoke unto jealousy them which are my flesh and might rescue some of them.

 

15 For if the casting away of them (for a time results in) the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

 

16 For if the first fruit (that were set apart for Christ, the patriarchs) be holy, the lump (Israel) is also holy: and if the root (Christ) be holy, so are the branches. (whether they be Jew or Gentile).

 

17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, belonging to a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and (along) with them (who) partake of the root (which is Christ) and fatness (and riches) of (the life of) the olive tree (the vine);

 

18 Do not boast against the (other) branches (that are of the same root). But if you boast, (boast in the root, which is Christ, because) you did not bear the root, but the root (bore) you.

 

19 Then you will say (correctly), The branches were broken off, so that I might be grafted in.

 

20 (Which is) good (and correct); because of unbelief they were broken off, and (seeing as) you stand by (the) faith (of Jesus Christ). Do not be high-minded, but revere (Him who is able to save you):

 

21 For if God did not hold back the natural branches (from being broken off in unbelief), take heed lest you also are not spared (from being broken off in unbelief).

 

22 Behold therefore the (everlasting) kindness and severity of (being cut off from) God: on those who fell (despising His mercy), severity; but toward you (that believe), kindness, if you continue (to abide) in His kindness: otherwise, you also shall be cut off (from the only life that does not perish).

 

23 And they also, if they do not abide still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God (desires and) is able to graft them in again.

 

24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is (growing) wild by nature (bearing no fruit, useless and unprofitable), and were grafted contrary to (the wild) nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which belong to the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

 

25 For I do not desire, brothers, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own estimation; (not knowing) that the blindness in part has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come.

 

26 And so that all Israel shall be saved (according to election of grace, by coming to the knowledge of Christ): as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer (Christ the Lord), and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

 

27 For this is My covenant to them, when I shall take away their iniquities (their lawless deeds I will remember no more).

 

28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election (of the life God has always dreamt for them), they are beloved for the father's sakes.

 

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

 

30 For just as you in times past have not believed God, yet now have obtained mercy through their unbelief:

 

31 Even so, have these also now been disobedient (to the faith), that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

 

32 For God has concluded them all disobedient, so that he might have mercy on all.

 

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways beyond (a man) tracing out (His plan to orchestrate the salvation of both Jew and Gentile through Christ)

 

34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor (in forming His plans)?

 

35 Or who has first given to Him, that it shall be recompensed to him again? (No one!)

 

36 For of Him, and through Him, and unto Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.