16. Now if the first-fruit be holy, the lump also; and if the root be holy, the branches also.
17. Now if some of the branches have been broken out, and thou, being a wild olive tree, hast been grafted in amongst them, and hast become a fellow-partaker of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree,
18. boast not against the branches; but if thou boast, it is not thou bearest the root, but the root thee.
19. Thou wilt say then, The branches have been broken out in order that I might be grafted in.
20. Right: they have been broken out through unbelief, and thou standest through faith. Be not high-minded, but fear:
21. if God indeed has not spared the natural branches; lest it might be he spare not thee either.
22. Behold then the goodness and severity of God: upon them who have fallen, severity; upon thee goodness of God, if thou shalt abide in goodness, since otherwisethou also wilt be cut away.
23. And they too, if they abide not in unbelief, shall be grafted in; for God is able again to graft them in.