Why?Because[they did] not [pursue it] by faith,but as though[it were] by works.They stumbled overthe stumblingstone,
"Then He shall becomea sanctuary;But to boththe housesof Israel,a stoneto strikeand a rockto stumbleover, [And] a snareand a trapfor the inhabitantsof Jerusalem.
"Manywill stumbleover them, Then they will falland be broken;They will even be snaredand caught."
And they took offenseat Him. But Jesussaidto them, "A prophetis not without honorexceptin his hometownand in his [own] household."
And Simeonblessedthem and saidto MaryHis mother,"Behold,this[Child] is appointedfor the falland riseof manyin Israel,and for a signto be opposed--
"Blessedis he whodoes not takeoffense at Me."
For not knowingabout God'srighteousnessand seekingto establishtheir own,they did not subjectthemselves to the righteousnessof God.
I saythen,they did not stumblesoas to fall,did they? May it neverbe! But by their transgressionsalvation[has come] to the Gentiles,to make them jealous.
For thisreason[it is] by faith,in orderthat [it may be] in accordancewith grace,sothat the promisewill be guaranteedto allthe descendants,not onlyto thosewho are of the Law,but alsoto thosewho are of the faithof Abraham,whois the fatherof us all,
but we preachChristcrucified,to Jewsa stumbling blockand to Gentilesfoolishness,
For [this] is containedin Scripture:"BEHOLD,I LAYIN ZIONA CHOICESTONE,A PRECIOUSCORNER[stone], AND HE WHO BELIEVESIN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
and, "A STONEOF STUMBLINGAND A ROCKOF OFFENSE";for they stumblebecause they are disobedientto the word,and to this[doom] they were alsoappointed.
