16 Now if the firstfruits are holy,n so is the whole batch. And if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 Now if some of the branches were broken off,o and you, though a wild olive branch, were grafted in among themp and have come to share in the rich rootE of the cultivated olive tree, 18 do not boast that you are better than those branches. But if you do boast—you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you.q 19 Then you will say,r “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 True enough; they were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith.s Do not be arrogant, but beware,F,t 21 because if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22 Therefore, consider God’s kindness and severity: severity toward those who have fallen but God’s kindnessu toward you—if you remain in his kindness.v Otherwise you too will be cut off.w 23 And even they, if they do not remain in unbelief,x will be grafted in, because God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from your native wild olive tree and against nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these—the natural branches—be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 I don’t want you to be ignoranty of this mystery,z brothers and sisters, so that you will not be conceited:aa A partial hardening has come upon Israelab until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.ac 26 And in this way allG Israel will be saved, as it is written,

The Deliverer will come from Zion;

he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

27 And this will be my covenant with themH,ad

when I take away their sins.I,ae

28 Regarding the gospel, they are enemies for your advantage,af but regarding election, they are loved because of the patriarchs,ag 29 since God’s gracious gifts and callingah are irrevocable.J,ai