11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:

11 (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;)

11 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;

11 (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),

11 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.

11 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,

11 the children indeed being not yet born, or having done anything good or worthless (that the purpose of God according to election might abide, not of works, but of him that calls),

11 Before the children had been born or had done anything good or bad, Rebekah was told that the older child would serve the younger one. This was said to Rebekah so that God’s plan would remain a matter of his choice,

11 For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand—

11 Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue,

11 for although they had not yet been born, or done anything good or evil, in order that the purpose of God according to election might remain,

11 Here is what happened. Rebekah’s twins had not even been born. They hadn’t done anything good or bad yet. So they show that God’s purpose is based firmly on his free choice.

11 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,

13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

13 In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.”

13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”

13 As the Scripture says, “I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.”

13 Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.

13 according as it is written, I have loved Jacob, and I have hated Esau.

13 The Scriptures say, “I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.” 

13 As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.

13 As it is written,

“I have loved Jacob,

but I have hated Esau.”

13 just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

13 It is written, “I chose Jacob instead of Esau.”

13 Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

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

16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

16 So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.

16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

16 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.

16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy.

16 So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shews mercy.

16 Therefore, God’s choice does not depend on a person’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 

16 So then it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy.

16 So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

16 Consequently therefore, it does not depend on the one who wills or on the one who runs, but on God who shows mercy.

16 So it doesn’t depend on what we want or do. It depends on God’s mercy.

16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

18 So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.

18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

18 So God shows mercy where he wants to show mercy, and he makes stubborn the people he wants to make stubborn.

18 So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth.

18 So then, to whom he will he shews mercy, and whom he will he hardens.

18 Therefore, if God wants to be kind to anyone, he will be. If he wants to make someone stubborn, he will. 

18 So then, He shows mercy to those He wants to, and He hardens those He wants to harden.

18 So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.

18 Consequently therefore, he has mercy on whomever he wishes, and he hardens whomever he wishes.

18 So God does what he wants to do. He shows mercy to one person and makes another stubborn.

18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.