Romans 9:11,16
Romans 9:10-13 The Message (MSG)
And that’s not the only time. To Rebecca, also, a promise was made that took priority over genetics. When she became pregnant by our one-of-a-kind ancestor, Isaac, and her babies were still innocent in the womb—incapable of good or bad—she received a special assurance from God. What God did in this case made it perfectly plain that his purpose is not a hit-or-miss thing dependent on what we do or don’t do, but a sure thing determined by his decision, flowing steadily from his initiative. God told Rebecca, “The firstborn of your twins will take second place.” Later that was turned into a stark epigram: “I loved Jacob; I hated Esau.”
Romans 9:14-18 The Message (MSG)
Is that grounds for complaining that God is unfair? Not so fast, please. God told Moses, “I’m in charge of mercy. I’m in charge of compassion.” Compassion doesn’t originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God’s mercy. The same point was made when God said to Pharaoh, “I picked you as a bit player in this drama of my salvation power.” All we’re saying is that God has the first word, initiating the action in which we play our part for better or worse.
Romans 9:11 New Living Translation (NLT)
But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes
Romans 9:16 New Living Translation (NLT)
So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.
Romans 9:11 King James Version (KJV)
(for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Romans 9:16 King James Version (KJV)
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Romans 9:11 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls
Romans 9:16 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.
Romans 9:11-12 New Century Version (NCV)
But before the two boys were born, God told Rebekah, “The older will serve the younger.” This was before the boys had done anything good or bad. God said this so that the one chosen would be chosen because of God’s own plan. He was chosen because he was the one God wanted to call, not because of anything he did.
Romans 9:16 New Century Version (NCV)
So God will choose the one to whom he decides to show mercy; his choice does not depend on what people want or try to do.
Romans 9:11 American Standard Version (ASV)
for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth
Romans 9:16 American Standard Version (ASV)
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy.
Romans 9:11 New International Version (NIV)
Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand
Romans 9:16 New International Version (NIV)
It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Romans 9:11 New King James Version (NKJV)
(for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls)
Romans 9:16 New King James Version (NKJV)
So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.
Romans 9:11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
and though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything either good or bad, so that God’s purpose [His choice, His election] would stand, not because of works [done by either child], but because of [the plan of] Him who calls them
Romans 9:16 Amplified Bible (AMP)
So then God’s choice is not dependent on human will, nor on human effort [the totality of human striving], but on God who shows mercy [to whomever He chooses—it is His sovereign gift].
Romans 9:11-12 The Passion Translation (TPT)
And before her twin sons were born, God spoke to Rebekah and said: “The oldest will serve the youngest.” God spoke these words before the sons had done anything good or bad, which proves that God calls people not on the basis of their good or bad works, but according to his divine purpose.
Romans 9:16 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Again, this proves that God’s choice doesn’t depend on how badly someone wants it or tries to earn it, but it depends on God’s kindness and mercy.