Living_Oracles(i)
1 I say, then, has God cast off his people? By no means. For, even I am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God has not cast off his people whom formerly he acknowledged. Do you not know, what the scripture says to Elijah; when he complains to God against Israel, saying,
3 "Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and have digged down thy altars, and I am let alone, and they seek my life?"
4 But what says the answer to God to him? "I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
5 So, then, even at this present time, there is a remnant according to an election by favor.
6 And if by favor, it is no more of works: otherwise favor is no more favor.
7 What then? The thing Israel earnestly seeks, that he has not obtained. But the election has obtained it, and the rest are blinded.
8 As it is written, "God has given them a spirit of deep sleep; eyes not seeing, and ears not hearing, until this present day."
9 And David says, "Let their table be for a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so as not to see; and let them bow down their back continually.
11 I ask, then, have they stumbled, that they may fall? By no means. But, through their fall, salvation is given to the Gentiles, to excite them to emulation.
12 Now, if the fall of them be the riches of the world; and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?