What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

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