¹⁸ “But even in those days”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“I will not finish you off.^(A)

Israel’s Rejection Not Total

11 I ask, then, has God rejected his people?^(A) Absolutely not!^(B) For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham,^(C) from the tribe of Benjamin. ² God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.^(D) Or don’t you know^(E) what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he pleads with God against Israel? ³ Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and they are trying to take my life!^{[a](F) 4} But what was God’s answer to him? I have left seven thousand for myself who have not bowed down to Baal.^{[b](G) 5} In the same way, then, there is also at the present time a remnant chosen by grace.^{(H) 6} Now if by grace,^(I) then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.^[c]

⁷ What then? Israel did not find what it was looking for,^(J) but the elect did find it. The rest were hardened,^(K)