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And if he chose them by grace, then it is not what they have done that made them his people. If they could be made his people by what they did, his gift of grace would not really be a gift.

So this is what has happened: The people of Israel wanted God’s blessing, but they did not all get it. The people he chose did get his blessing, but the others became hard and refused to listen to him. As the Scriptures say,

“God caused the people to fall asleep.” (A)

“God closed their eyes so that they could not see,
    and he closed their ears so that they could not hear.
This continues until now.” (B)

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And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works;(A) if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain.(B) The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,(C) as it is written:

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
    eyes that could not see
    and ears that could not hear,(D)
to this very day.”[a](E)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 11:8 Deut. 29:4; Isaiah 29:10