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18 So then,[a] God[b] has mercy on whom he chooses to have mercy, and he hardens whom he chooses to harden.[c]

19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?” 20 But who indeed are you—a mere human being[d]—to talk back to God?[e] Does what is molded say to the molder, “Why have you made me like this?[f]

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 9:18 sn There is a double connective here that cannot be easily preserved in English: “consequently therefore,” emphasizing the conclusion of what he has been arguing.
  2. Romans 9:18 tn Grk “he”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  3. Romans 9:18 tn Grk “So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.”
  4. Romans 9:20 tn Grk “O man.”
  5. Romans 9:20 tn Grk “On the contrary, O man, who are you to talk back to God?”
  6. Romans 9:20 sn A quotation from Isa 29:16; 45:9.

18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.(A)

19 One of you will say to me:(B) “Then why does God still blame us?(C) For who is able to resist his will?”(D) 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God?(E) “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,(F) ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[a](G)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 9:20 Isaiah 29:16; 45:9

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

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