2 God has not cast away His people whom ^aHe foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,  ‡

3 ^a“Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”?  ‡

4 But what does the divine response say to him? ^a“I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”  ‡

5 ^aEven so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.  ‡

6 And ^aif by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.¹ But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.  ‡

7 What then? ^aIsrael has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were ^bblinded.  ‡