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,

Before the children had come into existence, or had done anything good or bad, in order that God's purpose and his selection might be effected, not by works, but by him whose purpose it is,

διοτι πριν ετι γεννηθωσι τα παιδια, και πριν πραξωσι τι αγαθον η κακον, δια να μενη ο κατ' εκλογην προορισμος του Θεου, ουχι εκ των εργων, αλλ' εκ του καλουντος,

(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;)