^{15 Ref} For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and pity on whom I will have pity.

^{16 Ref} So then, it is not by the desire or by the attempt of man, but by the mercy of God.

^{17 Ref} For the holy Writings say to Pharaoh, For this same purpose did I put you on high, so that I might make my power seen in you, and that there might be knowledge of my name through all the earth.

^{18 Ref} So then, at his pleasure he has mercy on a man, and at his pleasure he makes the heart hard.

^{19 Ref} But you will say to me, Why does he still make us responsible? who is able to go against his purpose?

^{20 Ref} But, O man, who are you, to make answer against God? May the thing which is made say to him who made it, Why did you make me so?

^{21 Ref} Or has not the potter the right to make out of one part of his earth a vessel for honour, and out of another a vessel for shame?

^{22 Ref} What if God, desiring to let his wrath and his power be seen, for a long time put up with the vessels of wrath which were ready for destruction:

^{23 Ref} And to make clear the wealth of his glory to vessels of mercy, which he had before made ready for glory,