7. nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s seed; rather, “Your seed shall be called through Isaac.”
8. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God; rather, the children of the promise are counted as seed.
9. For the word of promise is this: “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.”
10. And not only this, but also Rebecca having twins, from one act with our father Isaac.
11. Yet before the sons were even born and had not done anything good or bad—so that God’s purpose and choice might stand not because of works but because of Him who calls—
12. it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”
13. As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
14. What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!
15. For to Moses He says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16. So then it does not depend on the one who wills or the one who strives, but on God who shows mercy.
17. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up—to demonstrate My power in you, so My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
18. So then He has mercy on whom He wills, and He hardens whom He wills.