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.

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In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—

NIVNew International Version (2011)

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

CSBChristian Standard Bible

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—

NLTNew Living Translation

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;

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

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,

KJV 1900King James Version

(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;)

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