1. I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying; my conscience is testifying to me with the Holy Spirit —
2. that I have intense sorrow and continual anguish in my heart.
3. For I could almost wish to be cursed and cut off from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood.
4. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises.
5. The ancestors are theirs, and from them, by physical descent, came the Messiah, who is God over all, praised forever. Amen.
6. But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
7. Neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants. On the contrary, your offspring will be traced through Isaac.
8. That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but the children of the promise are considered to be the offspring.
9. For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.
10. And not only that, but also Rebekah received a promise when she became pregnant by one man, our ancestor Isaac.
11. For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand —