17For 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.
18So then, at his pleasure he has mercy on a man, and at his pleasure he makes the heart hard.
19But you will say to me, Why does he still make us responsible? who is able to go against his purpose?
20But, 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?
21Or 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?
22What 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:
23And to make clear the wealth of his glory to vessels of mercy, which he had before made ready for glory,
