16. If the firstfruit is holy, so is the whole batch of dough; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17. But if some of the branches were broken off and you—being a wild olive—were grafted in among them and became a partaker of the root of the olive tree with its richness,
18. do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, it is not you who support the root but the root supports you.
19. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
20. True enough. They were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear—
21. for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.
22. Notice then the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell; but God’s kindness toward you, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off!
23. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again.
24. For if you were cut out of that which by nature is a wild olive tree, and grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
25. For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be ignorant of this mystery—lest you be wise in your own eyes—that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
26. and in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer shall come out of Zion. He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
27. And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.”
28. Concerning the Good News, they are hostile for your sake; but concerning chosenness, they are loved on account of the fathers—
29. for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30. For just as you once were disobedient to God but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,
31. in like manner these also have now been disobedient with the result that, because of the mercy shown to you, they also may receive mercy.