18. So do not brag about those branches that were broken off. If you brag, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
19. You will say, “Branches were broken off so that I could be joined to their tree.”
20. That is true. But those branches were broken off because they did not believe, and you continue to be part of the tree only because you believe. Do not be proud, but be afraid.
21. If God did not let the natural branches of that tree stay, then he will not let you stay if you don’t believe.
22. So you see that God is kind and also very strict. He punishes those who stop following him. But God is kind to you, if you continue following in his kindness. If you do not, you will be cut off from the tree.
23. And if the Jews will believe in God again, he will accept them back. God is able to put them back where they were.
24. It is not natural for a wild branch to be part of a good tree. And you who are not Jews are like a branch cut from a wild olive tree and joined to a good olive tree. But since those Jews are like a branch that grew from the good tree, surely they can be joined to their own tree again.
25. I want you to understand this secret, brothers and sisters, so you will understand that you do not know everything: Part of Israel has been made stubborn, but that will change when many who are not Jews have come to God.
26. And that is how all Israel will be saved. It is written in the Scriptures:“The Savior will come from Jerusalem;he will take away all evil from the family of Jacob.
27. And I will make this agreement with those peoplewhen I take away their sins.”