1 I am telling the truth in Christ (I am not lying!), for my conscience assures me in the Holy Spirit –
2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed – cut off from Christ – for the sake of my people, my fellow countrymen,
4 who are Israelites. To them belong the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.
5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from them, by human descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever! Amen.
6 It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all those who are descended from Israel are truly Israel,
7 nor are all the children Abraham’s true descendants; rather “through Isaac will your descendants be counted.”