Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad – in order that God's purpose in election might stand:
NIV
And the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out God's purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls [them]AMP
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
KJV
It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
NIV
So then [God's gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God's mercy. [It depends not on one's own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God's having mercy on him.]AMP
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
KJV
Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
NIV
To them belong the patriarchs, and as far as His natural descent was concerned, from them is the Christ, Who is exalted and supreme over all, God, blessed forever! Amen (so let it be).
AMP
Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
KJV
It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
NIV
However, it is not as though God's Word had failed [coming to nothing]. For it is not everybody who is a descendant of Jacob (Israel) who belongs to [the true] Israel.
AMP
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
KJV
What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory –
NIV
And [what if] He thus purposes to make known and show the wealth of His glory in [dealing with] the vessels (objects) of His mercy which He has prepared beforehand for glory
AMP
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
KJV
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved."
NIV
And Isaiah calls out (solemnly cries aloud) over Israel: Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, only the remnant (a small part of them) will be saved [from perdition, condemnation, judgment]!
AMP
Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
KJV