(31)What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who _shall be_ against us? (32)He who even spared not his own Son, but freely delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also, together with him, freely give us all things? (33)Who shall put in an accusation against the elect of God? God? He is their justifier. (34)Who is he that condemneth? Christ? He died, yea, rather, also is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (35)Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall distress of circumstances, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? (36)As it is written, "That for thy sake we have been put to death the whole day long; we have been reckoned indeed as sheep for slaughter[57]." (37)But in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38)For I am assured that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor those to come, (39)nor exaltation, nor deepest depression, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. CHAP. IX. I SPEAK the truth in Christ, I lie not, (my conscience also bearing witness to me in the Holy Ghost,) (2)that great is my sorrow and unceasing the anguish in my heart. (3)For could I myself wish that an anathema should be from Christ upon my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh? (4)who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the gift of the law, and the sacred service, and the promises; (5)of whom are the fathers, and from whom as respecting the flesh Christ sprung, who is over all, the blessed God for evermore. Amen. (6)Now it is not supposable that the word of God hath failed. For these are not all Israel, who are of Israel: (7)nor, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. (8)That is, not the children of the flesh, these are the children of God: but the children of the promise are accounted for the seed. (9)For the word of promise is this, At that time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. (10)And not only so; but when Rebecca also had conception by one, even Isaac our father; (11)(though the children were not yet born, nor had done any thing good or evil, that according to the election of God the purpose might abide, not from works, but from him who called;) (12)it was said unto her, "That the elder shall be servant to the younger[58]." (13)As it is written, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated[59]." (14)What shall we say therefore? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15)For he saith to Moses[60], "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." (16)Well then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God who sheweth mercy.