God hath not castaway his peoplewhich he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripturesaith of Elias? how he makethintercession to God againstIsrael, saying,
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwisegrace is no moregrace. But if it be of works, then is it no moregrace: otherwisework is no morework.
I say then, Havetheystumbledthattheyshouldfall? God forbid: but ratherthroughtheirfallsalvation is comeunto the Gentiles, for to provokethem to jealousy.
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wildolivetree, wertgrafted in amongthem, and withthempartakest of the root and fatness of the olivetree;
Beholdtherefore the goodness and severity of God: on themwhichfell, severity; but towardthee, goodness, if thoucontinue in his goodness: otherwisethoualsoshalt be cut off.
For if thouwert cut out of the olivetreewhich is wild by nature, and wertgraftedcontrary to natureinto a goodolivetree: how muchmoreshallthese, which be the naturalbranches, be graftedintotheir own olivetree?
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of thismystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; thatblindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.