Moffatt(i)
16 If the first handful of dough is consecrated, so is the rest of the lump; if the root is consecrated, so are the branches.
17 Supposing some of the branches have been broken off, while you have been grafted in like a shoot of wild olive to share the rich growth of the olive-stem,
18 do not pride yourself at the expense of these branches. Remember, in your pride, the stem supports you, not you the stem.
19 You will say, "But branches were broken off to let me be grafted in!"
20 Granted. They were broken off — for their lack of faith. And you owe your position to your faith. You should feel awed instead of being uplifted.
21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider both the kindness and the severity of God; those who fall come under his severity, but you come under the divine kindness, provided you adhere to that kindness. Otherwise, you will be cut away too.
23 And even the others will be grafted in, if they do not adhere to their unbelief; God can graft them in again.
24 For if you have been cut from an olive which is naturally wild, and grafted, contrary to nature, upon a garden olive, how much more will the natural branches be grafted into their proper olive?
25 To prevent you from being self-conceited, brothers, I would like you to understand this secret: it is only a partial insensibility that has come over Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in.
26 This done, all Israel will be saved — as it is written, The deliverer will come from Sion, he will banish all godlessness from Jacob:
27 this is my covenant with them, when I take their sins away.
28 So far as the gospel goes, they are enemies of God — which is to your advantage; but so far as election goes, they are beloved for their father's sake.
29 For God never goes back upon his gifts and call.