Romans 9:16-18

Amplified Bible

¹⁶ So then God’s choice is not dependent on human will, nor on human effort [the totality of human striving], but on God who shows mercy [to whomever He chooses—it is His sovereign gift]. ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “I raised you up for this very purpose, to display My power in [dealing with] you, and so that My name would be proclaimed in all the earth.”^{(A) 18} So then, He has mercy on whom He wills (chooses), and He hardens [the heart of] whom He wills.