But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits[4] to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son,[1] with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
[4] Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, "You are not my people," it shall be said to them, "Children[5] of the living God."
And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms.
he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him;[1] and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples -- of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.
As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.
Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers:[3] a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.