Romans 9:11

even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose in election ¹  would stand, not by works but by ²  his calling) ³  –

biblegateway Rom 9:11

Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:

biblegateway Rom 9:11

for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,

biblegateway Rom 9:11

But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message proves that God chooses according to his own plan,

biblegateway Rom 9:11

and her babies were still innocent in the womb--incapable of good or bad--she received a special assurance from God. What God did in this case made it perfectly plain that his purpose is not a hit-or-miss thing dependent on what we do or don't do, but a sure thing determined by his decision, flowing steadily from his initiative.

SABDAweb Rom 9:11

Before the children had come into existence, or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s purpose and his selection might be effected, not by works, but by him whose purpose it is,

bibleoremus Rom 9:11

Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue,

biblegateway Rom 9:11

(for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),

biblegateway Rom 9:11

even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose in election ¹  would stand, not by works but by ²  his calling) ³  –

¹ tn Grk “God’s purpose according to election.”

² tn Or “not based on works but based on…”

³ tn Grk “by the one who calls.”

³ sn The entire clause is something of a parenthetical remark.