Romans 9:11 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

(for they being not yet born, neither having done anything good or evil, that the purpose of God, according to choice, might remain; not of works, but of Him who is calling,) it was said to her --

English ASV

for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,

English Amplified

And the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out God's purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls [them],

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

And the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out God's purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls [them],

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand —

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

[the children] indeed being not yet born, or having done anything good or worthless (that the purpose of God according to election might abide, not of works, but of him that calls),

English EASY 2024

And God spoke to Rebekah before her sons were born. God spoke before the boys had done anything either good or bad. God did this to show clearly that he himself was choosing one child. He was not choosing someone because of what that person had done. He himself decided which one he would choose.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

But before the two sons were born, God told Rebecca, "The older son will serve the younger." This was before the boys had done anything good or bad. God said this before they were born so that the boy he wanted would be chosen because of God's own plan. He was chosen because he was the one God wanted to call, not because of anything the boys did.

though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad- in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call-

English GNT (Good News Translation)

But in order that the choice of one son might be completely the result of God's own purpose, God said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” He said this before they were born, before they had done anything either good or bad; so God's choice was based on his call, and not on anything they had done.

English God's Word - GW 1995

Before the children had been born or had done anything good or bad, Rebekah was told that the older child would serve the younger one. This was said to Rebekah so that God's plan would remain a matter of his choice,

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

(for though they had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to election might stand,

English KJV 1611

(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

English LSB

for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that the purpose of God according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

For before the children had been born, having done neither evil nor good, so that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but through Him who calls,

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

before they had yet been born or had done anything, good or bad, in order that God's elective plan might continue,

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose in election would stand, not by works but by his calling) —

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

Here is what happened. Rebekah's twins had not even been born. They hadn't done anything good or bad yet. So they show that God's purpose is based firmly on his free choice.

English NIV

Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand:

English NKJ 1982

(for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),

English NLT

But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message proves that God chooses according to his own plan,

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God's purpose of election might continue,

English Passion Translation Bible 2020

And before her twin sons were born, God spoke to Rebekah and said: “The oldest will serve the youngest.” God spoke these words before the sons had done anything good or bad, which proves that God calls people not on the basis of their good or bad works, but according to his divine purpose.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call,

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

God told her that Esau, the child born first, would be a servant to Jacob, his twin brother.

English Tyndale 1537

yer the children were born, when they had neither done good neither bad (that the purpose of God which is by election, might stand) it was said unto her, not by the reason(deserving) of works, but by grace of the caller,

Romans 9:11 — Compare Translations