1 the rest of the people in the world were able to turn to him. So when God makes friends with Israel, it will be like bringing the dead back to life.
16If part of a batch of dough is made holy by being offered to God, then all of the dough is holy. If the roots of a tree are holy, the rest of the tree is holy too.
17You Gentiles are like branches of a wild olive tree made to be part of a cultivated olive tree. You have taken the place of some branches that were cut away from it. And because of this, you enjoy the blessings that come from being part of that cultivated tree.
18But don't think you are better than the branches that were cut away. Just remember you are not supporting the roots of this tree. Its roots are supporting you.
19Maybe you think those branches were cut away, so you could be put in their place.
20That's true enough. But they were cut away because they did not have faith, and you are where you are because you do have faith. So don't be proud, but be afraid.
21If God cut away those natural branches, couldn't he do the same to you?
22Now you see both how kind and how hard God can be. He was hard on those who fell, but he was kind to you. And he will keep on being kind to you, if you keep on trusting in his kindness. Otherwise, you will be cut away too.
23If those other branches will start having faith, they will be made a part of that tree again. God has the power to put them back.
24After all, it wasn't natural for branches to be cut from a wild olive tree and to be made part of a cultivated olive tree. So it is much more likely that God will join the natural branches back to the cultivated olive tree.
The People of Israel Will Be Brought Back25My friends, I don't want you Gentiles to be too proud of yourselves. So I will explain the mystery of what has happened to the people of Israel. Some of them have become stubborn, and they will stay like that until the complete number of you Gentiles has come in.
26Is 59.20,21 (LXX). In this way all of Israel will be saved, as the Scriptures say,
“From Zion someone will come
to rescue us.
Then Jacob's descendants
will stop being evil.
27 Is 27.9 (LXX). This is what the Lord
has promised to do
when he forgives their sins.”
28The people of Israel are treated as God's enemies, so the good news can come to you Gentiles. But they are still the chosen ones, and God loves them because of their famous ancestors.
29God doesn't take back the gifts he has given or disown the people he has chosen.
30At one time you Gentiles rejected God. But now Israel has rejected God, and you have been shown mercy.
31And because of the mercy shown to you, they will also be shown mercy.
32All people have disobeyed God, and that's why he treats them as prisoners. But he does this, so that he can have mercy on all of them.
33 Is 55.8; Ws 17.1. Who can measure the wealth and wisdom and knowledge of God? Who can understand his decisions or explain what he does?
34 Is 40.13 (LXX). “Has anyone known
the thoughts of the Lord
or given him advice?
35 Job 41.11. Has anyone loaned
something to the Lord
that must be repaid?”
36 4 Macc 18.24; 1 Co 8.6. Everything comes from the Lord. All things were made because of him and will return to him. Praise the Lord forever! Amen.
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