For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him.

But what was the divine response<n id="1" /> to him? &#8220;<b><i>I have kepti>b> for myself <b><i>seven thousand peoplei>b><n id="2" /> <b><i>who have not bent the knee to Baali>b>.&#8221;<n id="3" />p>

What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was diligently seeking, but the elect obtained it. The<n id="1" /> rest were hardened,

<t /><p class="bodytext">Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God&#8217;s appointment,<n id="1" /> and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.

For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

For even Christ did not please himself, but just as it is written, &#8220;<b><i>The insults of those who insult you have fallen on mei>b>.&#8221;<n id="1" />

who risked their own necks for my life. Not only I, but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

I do not want you to be unaware,<n id="1" /> brothers and sisters,<n id="2" /> that I often intended to come to you (and was prevented until now), so that I may have some fruit even among you, just as I already have among the rest of the Gentiles.<n id="3" />

Although they fully know<n id="1" /> God&#8217;s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die,<n id="2" /> they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.<n id="3" />p>

For this reason it is by faith so that it may be by grace,<n id="1" /> with the result that the promise may be certain to all the descendants &#8211; not only to those who are under the law, but also to those who have the faith of Abraham,<n id="2" /> who is the father of us all

Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,<n id="1" /> groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption,<n id="2" /> the redemption of our bodies.<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;

<p class="bodytext">But I ask, have they<n id="1" /> not heard?<n id="2" /> Yes, they have:<n id="3" /> <i><b>Their voice has gone out to all the earthb>, <b>and their words to the ends of the worldb>i>.<n id="4" />

<p class="bodytext">For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> so that you may not be conceited: A partial hardening has happened to Israel<n id="2" /> until the full number<n id="3" /> of the Gentiles has come in.

(for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation,

for it is God&#8217;s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God&#8217;s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.

The one who observes the day does it for the Lord. The<n id="1" /> one who eats, eats for the Lord because he gives thanks to God, and the one who abstains from eating abstains for the Lord, and he gives thanks to God.

For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By their smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds<n id="1" /> of the naive.

But the gracious gift is not like the transgression.<n id="1" /> For if the many died through the transgression of the one man,<n id="2" /> how much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ multiply to the many!