17 So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.
18 But I ask: Is it true that they did not hear the message? Of course they did—for as the scripture says:“The sound of their voice went out to all the world;their words reached the ends of the earth.”
19 Again I ask: Did the people of Israel not understand? Moses himself is the first one to answer:“I will use a so-called nationto make my people jealous;and by means of a nation of foolsI will make my people angry.”
20 And Isaiah is even bolder when he says,“I was found by those who were not looking for me;I appeared to those who were not asking for me.”
21 But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I held out my hands to welcome a disobedient and rebellious people.”