^{17 Ref} But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, an olive-tree of the fields, were put in among them, and were given a part with them in the root by which the olive-tree is made fertile,

^{18 Ref} Do not be uplifted in pride over the branches: because it is not you who are the support of the root, but it is by the root that you are supported.

^{19 Ref} You will say, Branches were broken off so that I might be put in.

^{20 Ref} Truly, because they had no faith they were broken off, and you have your place by reason of your faith. Do not be lifted up in pride, but have fear;

^{21 Ref} For, if God did not have mercy on the natural branches, he will not have mercy on you.

^{22 Ref} See then that God is good but his rules are fixed: to those who were put away he was hard, but to you he has been good, on the condition that you keep in his mercy; if not, you will be cut off as they were.

^{23 Ref} And they, if they do not go on without faith, will be united to the tree again, because God is able to put them in again.

^{24 Ref} For if you were cut out of a field olive-tree, and against the natural use were united to a good olive-tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be united again with the olive-tree which was theirs?