Romans 9:16

So then, ¹  it does not depend on human desire or exertion, ²  but on God who shows mercy.

It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

So receiving God’s promise is not up to us. We can’t get it by choosing it or working hard for it. God will show mercy to anyone he chooses.

Compassion doesn't originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God's mercy.

So then, it is not by the desire or by the attempt of man, but by the mercy of God.

So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

So then, ¹  it does not depend on human desire or exertion, ²  but on God who shows mercy.

¹ sn There is a double connective here that cannot be easily preserved in English: “consequently therefore,” emphasizing the conclusion of what he has been arguing.

² tn Grk “So then, [it does] not [depend] on the one who desires nor on the one who runs.”