24. After all, weren't you cut from a wild olive tree? Weren't you joined to an olive tree that was taken care of? And wasn't that the opposite of how things should be done? How much more easily will the natural branches be joined to their own olive tree!
25. Brothers and sisters, here is a mystery I want you to understand. It will keep you from being proud. Part of Israel has refused to obey God. That will continue until the full number of non-Jews has entered God's kingdom.
26. And so all Israel will be saved. It is written, "The One who saves will come from Mount Zion. He will remove sin from Jacob.
27. Here is my covenant with them. I will take away their sins." (Isaiah 59:20,21; 27:9; Jeremiah 31:33,34)
28. As far as the good news is concerned, the people of Israel are enemies. That is for your good. But as far as God's choice is concerned, the people of Israel are loved. That is because of God's promises to the founders of our nation.
29. God does not take back his gifts. He does not change his mind about those he has chosen.
30. At one time you did not obey God. But now you have received mercy because Israel did not obey.
31. In the same way, Israel has not been obeying God. But now they receive mercy because of God's mercy to you.
32. God has found everyone guilty of not obeying him. So now he can have mercy on everyone.
33. How very rich are God's wisdom and knowledge! How he judges is more than we can understand! The way he deals with people is more than we can know!
34. "Who can ever know what is in the Lord's mind? Or who can ever give him advice?" (Isaiah 40:13)