Romans 9:18-20

9:18 So then, ¹  God ²  has mercy on whom he chooses to have mercy, and he hardens whom he chooses to harden. ³ 

9:19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?” 9:20 But who indeed are you – a mere human being ⁴  – to talk back to God? ⁵  Does what is molded say to the molder, “Why have you made me like this?” ⁶ 

[9:18]  ¹ sn There is a double connective here that cannot be easily preserved in English: “consequently therefore,” emphasizing the conclusion of what he has been arguing.

[9:18]  ² tn Grk “he”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[9:18]  ³ tn Grk “So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.”

[9:20]  ⁴ tn Grk “O man.”

[9:20]  ⁵ tn Grk “On the contrary, O man, who are you to talk back to God?”

[9:20]  ⁶ sn A quotation from Isa 29:16; 45:9.