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16 ) For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
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17 ) And if some of the branches be broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
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18 ) Boast not against the branches. But if you boast, you bear not the root, but the root you.
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19 ) You will say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
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20 ) Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear:
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21 ) For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not you.
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22 ) Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity, but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off.
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23 ) And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
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24 ) For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?