But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God.( This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes;

双子还没有生下来，善恶还没有做出来，只因要显明神拣选人的旨意，不在乎人的行为，乃在乎召人的主。）

双胞胎还没有生下来，善恶还没有行出来，为要贯彻上帝拣选人的旨意，

双胞胎还没有生下来，善恶还没有行出来，为要贯彻神拣选人的旨意，

在这对孩子还未出生，还没有显出谁善谁恶之前，上帝为了显明自己拣选人并不是按人的行为，而是按祂自己的旨意，

双生子还没有生下来，善恶也没有行出来（为要坚定神拣选人的旨意，不是由于行为，而是由于那呼召者），

实际上，双子还没有出生，也没有行善或作恶以前——为了要显明神的拣选心意不是本于人的行为，而是出于召唤人的那一位——

雙子還沒有生下來，善惡還沒有做出來，只因要顯明神揀選人的旨意，不在乎人的行為，乃在乎召人的主。）

雙胞胎還沒有生下來，善惡還沒有行出來，為要貫徹上帝揀選人的旨意，

雙胞胎還沒有生下來，善惡還沒有行出來，為要貫徹神揀選人的旨意，

在這對孩子還未出生，還沒有顯出誰善誰惡之前，上帝為了顯明自己揀選人並不是按人的行為，而是按祂自己的旨意，

雙生子還沒有生下來，善惡也沒有行出來（為要堅定神揀選人的旨意，不是由於行為，而是由於那呼召者），

在雙子還沒生下來、好壞還沒作出來時（為要使上帝按揀選的定旨得以堅立，不是由於人的行為，乃是由於上帝的呼召），

實際上，雙子還沒有出生，也沒有行善或作惡以前——為了要顯明神的揀選心意不是本於人的行為，而是出於召喚人的那一位——

二子未生、善惡未形、俾上帝選人之旨不移、非由乎行、乃由乎召之者、

子未生善惡未形、而上帝選人之旨不移、其選之也、非由所行、乃由所召、

子尚未生、未行善惡、而語利伯加云、長子必事幼子、以示天主選人之旨、非由行事、乃由召者、

當時二子尚未出生、善惡未形、而天主欲明示簡選之不憑人力、惟憑恩旨也、

Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad— in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:

Here is what happened. Rebekah’s twins had not even been born. They hadn’t done anything good or bad yet. So they show that God’s purpose is based firmly on his free choice.

though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad— in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—

For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand—

for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,

( for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),

for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,

For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand—

( 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;)

even before they were born or had done anything good or bad( so that God’s purpose in election would stand, not by works but by his calling)–

For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls,

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ— which is to fulfill his own good plan.And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ— everything in heaven and on earth.Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him,“ I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”

he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.

All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation— a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace— his undeserved kindness in choosing them.And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is— free and undeserved.So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have— the ones God has chosen— but the hearts of the rest were hardened.

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time— to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sworn this oath:“ It will all happen as I have planned. It will be as I have decided.

I have a plan for the whole earth, a hand of judgment upon all the nations.The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken— who can change his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?”

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has done it to destroy your pride and bring low all earth’s nobility.

The earth trembles and writhes in pain, for everything the Lord has planned against Babylon stands unchanged. Babylon will be left desolate without a single inhabitant.

We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.

For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.

Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.I will call a swift bird of prey from the east— a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it.