Romans 11:13-24 (NRSV)

Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuchthen as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry in order to make my own people jealous, and thus save someof them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of theworld, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead! If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, thenthe whole batch is holy; and if the root is holy, then the branchesalso are holy.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wildolive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich rootof the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you doboast, remember that it is not you that support the root, butthe root that supports you. You will say, "Branches werebroken off so that I might be grafted in." That is true.They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you standonly through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he willnot spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God:severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness towardyou, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you alsowill be cut off. And even those of Israel, if they do not persistin unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graftthem in again. For if you have been cut from what is by naturea wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivatedolive tree, how much more will these natural branches be graftedback into their own olive tree.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.