But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,
“ ‘How can you say, “We are wise, for we have the law of the Lord,” when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,