18. then don’t brag like you’re better than the other branches. If you do brag, be careful: it’s not you that sustains the root, but it’s the root that sustains you.
19. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in."
20. Fine. They were broken off because they weren’t faithful, but you stand only by your faithfulness. So don’t think in a proud way; instead be afraid.
21. If God didn’t spare the natural branches, he won’t spare you either.
22. So look at God’s kindness and harshness. It’s harshness toward those who fell, but it’s God’s kindness for you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise, you could be cut off too.
23. And even those who were cut off will be grafted back in if they don’t continue to be unfaithful, because God is able to graft them in again.
24. If you were naturally part of a wild olive tree and you were cut off from it, and then, contrary to nature, you were grafted into the cultivated olive tree, won’t these natural branches stand an even better chance of being grafted back onto their own olive tree?
25. I don’t want you to be unaware of this secret, brothers and sisters. That way you won’t think too highly of yourselves. A part of Israel has become resistant until the full number of the Gentiles comes in.
26. In this way, all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come from Zion. He will remove ungodly behavior from Jacob.
27. This is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.
28. According to the gospel, they are enemies for your sake, but according to God’s choice, they are loved for the sake of their ancestors.
29. God’s gifts and calling can’t be taken back.
30. Once you were disobedient to God, but now you have mercy because they were disobedient.
31. In the same way, they have also been disobedient because of the mercy that you received, so now they can receive mercy too.