15. For he says to Moses, I will shew mercy to whom I will shew mercy, and I will feel compassion for whom I will feel compassion.
16. So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shews mercy.
17. For the scripture says to Pharaoh, For this very thing I have raised thee up from amongst men, that I might thus shew in thee my power, and so that my name should be declared in all the earth.
18. So then, to whom he will he shews mercy, and whom he will he hardens.
19. Thou wilt say to me then, Why does he yet find fault? for who resists his purpose?
20. Aye, but thou, O man, who art thou that answerest again to God? Shall the thing formed say to him that has formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21. Or has not the potter authority over the clay, out of the same lump to make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour?
22. And if God, minded to shew his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering vessels of wrath fitted for destruction;
23. and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he had before prepared for glory,