¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.^{(A) 12} Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed^(B) in his name,^(C) he gave the right to become children of God^(D)— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.^(E)

²¹ For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life,^(A) even so the Son gives life^(B) to whom he is pleased to give it.

¹¹ Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad^(A)—in order that God’s purpose^(B) in election might stand: ¹² not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”^{[a](C) 13} Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”^[b](D)

¹⁴ What then shall we say?^(E) Is God unjust? Not at all!^{(F) 15} For he says to Moses,

¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.^(H)

⁹ He has saved^(A) us and called^(B) us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done^(C) but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed^(D) through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,^(E) who has destroyed death^(F) and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

⁸ First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”^(C)—though they were offered in accordance with the law. ⁹ Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.”^(D) He sets aside the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will, we have been made holy^(E) through the sacrifice of the body^(F) of Jesus Christ once for all.^(G)