13. The Scripture says, “Anyone who asks the Lord for help will be saved.”
14. But before people can trust in the Lord for help, they must believe in him. And before they can believe in the Lord, they must hear about him. And for them to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them.
15. And before someone can go and tell them, he must be sent. It is written, “How beautiful is the person who comes to bring good news.”
16. But not all the Jews accepted the good news. Isaiah said, “Lord, who believed what we told them?”
17. So faith comes from hearing the Good News. And people hear the Good News when someone tells them about Christ.
18. But I ask: Didn’t people hear the Good News? Yes, they heard—as the Scripture says:“Their message went out through all the world.It goes everywhere on earth.” Psalm 19:4
19. Again I ask: Didn’t the people of Israel understand? Yes, they did understand. First, Moses says:“I will use those who are not a nation to make you jealous.I will use a nation that does not understand to make you angry.” Deuteronomy 32:21
20. Then Isaiah is bold enough to say:“I was found by those who were not asking me for help.I made myself known to people who were not looking for me.” Isaiah 65:1