1 I say then, “Hath God cast away His people?” God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? How he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,
3 “Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.”
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? “I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.”
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8 (According as it is written, “God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;”) unto this day.
9 And David saith, “Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:”
10 “Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.”
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