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Romans 9:20

HumilityPrideCreation

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”
KJV
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
WEB
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”
ASV
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?
DARBY
Aye, but thou, O man, who art *thou* that answerest again to God? Shall the thing formed say to him that has formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
BLB
But rather, O man, who are you answering against God? [Will] the thing formed say to the One having formed [it], “Why did you make me thus?”
ÅB
Men hvem er du, menneske, som tar til motmæle mot Gud? Vil verket si til skaperen: «Hvorfor gjorde du meg slik?»
OTB
Men hvem er du, et menneske, til å svare Gud imot? Skal det som er formet si til den som formet det, «Hvorfor gjorde du meg slik?»
B1930
Men hvem er da du, menneske, som tar til gjenmæle mot Gud? Vil da verket si til virkeren: Hvorfor gjorde du mig slik?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 29:16

    Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 45:9–11

    Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 64:8

    But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

    Read in context

  • Job 33:13

    Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

    Read in context

  • Job 36:23

    Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

    Read in context

  • Job 40:2

    Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

    Read in context

  • Matthew 20:15

    Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

    Read in context

  • Job 16:3

    Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?

    Read in context