1, I say then, Has God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2, God has not cast away his people which he foreknew. Know you not what the scripture said of Elias? how he makes intercession to God against Israel saying,
3, Lord, they have killed your prophets, and dig down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4, But what said the answer of God to him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5, Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6, And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7, What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8, (According as it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) to this day.
9, And David said, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompense to them:
10, Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. |
