I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean in itself; still, it is unclean to the one who considers it unclean.

For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in order to bring about the obedience<n id="1" /> of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

<p class="bodytext">What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! Certainly, I<n id="1" /> would not have known sin except through the law. For indeed I would not have known what it means to desire something belonging to someone else<n id="2" /> if the law had not said, &#8220;<b><i>Do not coveti>b>.&#8221;<n id="3" />

<p class="bodytext">In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray,<n id="1" /> but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God&#8217;s purpose in election<n id="1" /> would stand, not by works but by<n id="2" /> his calling)<n id="3" /> &#8211;

But what does it say? &#8220;<i><b>The word is near youb>, <b>in your mouth and in your heartb>i>&#8221;<n id="1" /> (that is, the word of faith that we preach),

God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew! Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

Do not be conformed<n id="1" /> to this present world,<n id="2" /> but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve<n id="3" /> what is the will of God &#8211; what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.p>