19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A: 2nd Reading

Romans 9:1-5

Brothers and sisters:
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
   my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
   that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ
   for the sake of my own people,
   my kindred according to the flesh.
They are Israelites;
   theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
   the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
   theirs the patriarchs, and from them,
   according to the flesh, is the Christ,
   who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.