“ But the time will come when the people of Israel will be like the sand on the seashore. It can’t be measured or counted. Now it is said about them,‘ You are not my people.’ But at that time they will be called‘ children of the living God.’

“然而，以色列的人数必如海沙，不可量，不可数。从前在什么地方对他们说：‘你们不是我的子民’，将来在那里必对他们说：‘你们是永生神的儿子’。

然而，以色列的人数必多如海沙，不可量，不可数。从前在什么地方对他们说“你们不是我的子民”，将来就在那里称他们为“永生上帝的儿子”。

然而，以色列的人数必多如海沙，不可量，不可数。从前在什么地方对他们说“你们不是我的子民”，将来就在那里称他们为“永生神的儿子”。

“然而，以色列的人数必像海沙一样量不尽、数不完。从前我在什么地方对他们说‘你们不是我的子民’，将来也要在那里对他们说‘你们是永活上帝的儿女’。

“然而，以色列人的数目，必多如海边的沙，量不尽，数不完。从前在什么地方对他们说：‘你们不是我的子民’，将来要在那里对他们说：‘你们是永活的神的儿子。’

然而，以色列的人數必如海沙，不可量，不可數。從前在甚麼地方對他們說「你們不是我的子民」，將來在那裏必對他們說「你們是永生神的兒子」。

然而，以色列的人數必多如海沙，不可量，不可數。從前在甚麼地方對他們說「你們不是我的子民」，將來就在那裏稱他們為「永生上帝的兒子」。

然而，以色列的人數必多如海沙，不可量，不可數。從前在甚麼地方對他們說「你們不是我的子民」，將來就在那裏稱他們為「永生神的兒子」。

「然而，以色列的人數必像海沙一樣量不盡、數不完。從前我在什麼地方對他們說『你們不是我的子民』，將來也要在那裡對他們說『你們是永活上帝的兒女』。

“然而，以色列人的數目，必多如海邊的沙，量不盡，數不完。從前在甚麼地方對他們說：‘你們不是我的子民’，將來要在那裡對他們說：‘你們是永活的神的兒子。’

『然而以色列的人數必如同海沙，不可量，不可數；從前在甚麼地方有話對他們說：「你們不是我的子民」，將來在那裏也必有話對他們說：「你們乃是永活上帝的兒子。」

以色列人數、將若海沙、不能量數、昔於何處謂之曰、爾非我民、後則於彼謂之曰、爾乃維生上帝之子、

越至於後、以色列族其數必如海沙、不能斗量籌算也、今我語人曰、爾非我民、異日將稱為永生上帝眾子、

將來或作雖然以色列人數必如海沙、不可量、不可計、今我語之曰、爾曹非我民、後日必稱為永生天主之子、

“ Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them,‘ You are not my people,’ they will be called‘ children of the living God.’

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 of the living God.”

“ Yet the time will come when Israel’s people will be like the sands of the seashore— too many to count! Then, at the place where they were told,‘ You are not my people,’ it will be said,‘ You are children of the living God.’

Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And in the place where they were told: You are not my people, they will be called: Sons of the living God.

Yet the number of the sons of Israel Will be like the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or counted; And in the place Where it is said to them,“ You are not My people,” It will be said to them,“ You are the sons of the living God.”

“ Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them,‘ You are not My people,’ There it shall be said to them,‘ You are sons of the living God.’

Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass that, in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And in the place where they were told: You are not My people, they will be called: Sons of the living God.

Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass,[ that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye[ are] not my people,[ there] it shall be said unto them,[ Ye are] the sons of the living God.

( 2: 1) However, in the future the number of the people of Israel will be like the sand of the sea which can be neither measured nor numbered. Although it was said to them,“ You are not my people,” it will be said to them,“ You are children of the living God!”

Yet the number of the children of Israel will be as the sand of the sea, which can’t be measured or counted; and it will come to pass that, in the place where it was said to them,‘ You are not my people,’ they will be called‘ sons of the living God.’

And,“ I will be your Father. You will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord who rules over all.”( 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8)

Because you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. He is the Holy Spirit. By his power we call God Abba. Abba means Father.So you aren’t a slave any longer. You are God’s child. Because you are his child, God gives you the rights of those who are his children.

But God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are God’s special treasure. You are all these things so that you can give him praise. God brought you out of darkness into his wonderful light.Once you were not a people. But now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy. But now you have received mercy.

See what amazing love the Father has given us! Because of it, we are called children of God. And that’s what we really are! The world doesn’t know us because it didn’t know him.Dear friends, now we are children of God. He still hasn’t let us know what we will be. But we know that when Christ appears, we will be like him. That’s because we will see him as he really is.

God says in Hosea,“ I will call those who are not my people‘ my people.’ I will call the one who is not my loved one‘ my loved one.’ ”( Hosea 2:23)He also says,“ Once it was said to them,‘ You are not my people.’ In that very place they will be called‘ children of the living God.’ ”( Hosea 1:10)Isaiah cries out concerning Israel. He says,“ The number of people from Israel may be like the sand by the sea. But only a few of them will be saved.The Lord will carry out his sentence. He will be quick to carry it out on earth, once and for all.”( Isaiah 10:22, 23)

Some people did accept him and did believe in his name. He gave them the right to become children of God.

And they will bring back all the people of Israel from all those nations. They will bring them to my holy mountain in Jerusalem. My people will ride on horses, mules and camels. They will come in chariots and wagons,” says the Lord.“ Those messengers will bring my people as an offering to me. They will bring them to my temple, just as the Israelites bring their grain offerings in bowls that are‘ clean.’

Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.The Spirit you received doesn’t make you slaves. Otherwise you would live in fear again. Instead, the Holy Spirit you received made you God’s adopted child. By the Spirit’s power we call God Abba. Abba means Father.The Spirit himself joins with our spirits. Together they tell us that we are God’s children.As his children, we will receive all that he has for us. We will share what Christ receives. But we must share in his sufferings if we want to share in his glory.

I will say to the north,‘ Let them go!’ And I will say to the south,‘ Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from far away. Bring my daughters from the farthest places on earth.

“ Look up. Look all around you. All your people are getting together to come back to you. Your sons will come from far away. Your daughters will be carried on the hip like little children.Then your face will glow with joy. Your heart will beat fast because you are so happy. Wealth from across the ocean will be brought to you. The riches of the nations will come to you.Herds of young camels will cover your land. They will come from Midian and Ephah. They will also come from Sheba. They’ll carry gold and incense. And people will shout praises to me.All of Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you. The rams of Nebaioth will serve as your sacrifices. I will accept them as offerings on my altar. That is how I will bring honor to my glorious temple.“ Whose ships are these that sail along like clouds? They fly like doves to their nests.People from the islands are coming to me. The ships of Tarshish are out in front. They are bringing your children back from far away. Your children are bringing their silver and gold with them. They are coming to honor me. I am the Lord your God. I am the Holy One of Israel. I have honored you.“ People from other lands will rebuild your walls. Their kings will serve you. When I was angry with you, I struck you. But now I will show you my tender love.Your gates will always stand open. They will never be shut, day or night. Then people can bring you the wealth of the nations. Their kings will come along with them.The nation or kingdom that will not serve you will be destroyed. It will be completely wiped out.“ Lebanon’s glorious trees will be brought to you. Its junipers, firs and cypress trees will be brought. They will be used to make my temple beautiful. And I will bring glory to the place where my throne is.The children of those who crush you will come and bow down to you. All those who hate you will kneel down at your feet. Jerusalem, they will call you the City of the Lord. They will name you Zion, the City of the Holy One of Israel.“ You have been deserted and hated. No one even travels through you. But I will make you into something to be proud of forever. You will be a place of joy for all time to come.You will get everything you need from kings and nations. You will be like children who are nursing at their mother’s breasts. Then you will know that I am the one who saves you. I am the Lord. I set you free. I am the Mighty One of Jacob.Instead of bronze I will bring you gold. In place of iron I will give you silver. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze. In place of stones I will give you iron. I will make peace govern you. I will make godliness rule over you.People will no longer harm one another in your land. They will not wipe out or destroy anything inside your borders. You will call your walls Salvation. And you will name your gates Praise.You will not need the light of the sun by day anymore. The bright light of the moon will no longer have to shine on you. I will be your light forever. My glory will shine on you. I am the Lord your God.Your sun will never set again. Your moon will never lose its light. I will be your light forever. Your days of sorrow will come to an end.Then all your people will do what is right. The land will belong to them forever. They will be like a young tree I have planted. My hands have created them. They will show how glorious I am.The smallest family among you will become a tribe. The smallest tribe will become a mighty nation. I am the Lord. When it is the right time, I will act quickly.”

I will plant her in the land for myself. I will show my love to the one I called Not My Loved One. I will say,‘ You are my people’ to those who were called Not My People. And they will say,‘ You are my God.’ ”

So I will certainly bless you. I will make the children born into your family as many as the stars in the sky. I will make them as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. They will take over the cities of their enemies.

Then the Lord said,“ Name him Lo- Ammi.” Lo- Ammi means Not My People.“ That’s because Israel is no longer my people. And I am no longer their God.

I will make them like the dust of the earth. Can dust be counted? If it can, then your family can be counted.

Here is what I will do for my servant David. And here is what I will do for the Levites who serve me. I will make their children after them as many as the stars in the sky. And I will make them as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. It will be impossible to count them.”

Abraham was past the time when he could have children. But many children came from that one man. They were as many as the stars in the sky. They were as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. No one could count them.

Your people will hurry back. Those who destroyed you so completely will leave you.Look up. Look all around you. All your people are getting together to come back to you. You can be sure that I live,” announces the Lord.“ And you can be just as sure that your people will be like decorations you will wear. Like a bride, you will wear them proudly.“ Zion, you were destroyed. Your land was left empty. It was turned into a dry and empty desert. But now you will be too small to hold all your people. And those who destroyed you will be far away.The children born during your time of sorrow will speak to you. They will say,‘ This city is too small for us. Give us more space to live in.’Then you will say to yourself,‘ Whose children are these? I lost my children. And I couldn’t have any more. My children were taken far away from me. And no one wanted them. Who brought these children up? I was left all alone. So where have these children come from?’ ”The Lord and King continues,“ I will call out to the nations. I will give a signal to them. They will bring back your sons in their arms. They will carry your daughters on their hips.

Your family would be like the sand. Your children after you would be as many as the grains of sand by the sea. It would be impossible to count them. I would always accept the members of your family line. They would never disappear or be destroyed.”

But you have said,‘ I will surely give you success. I will make your children as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. People will not be able to count them.’ ”

“ Jerusalem, sing! You are now like a woman who never had a child. Burst into song! Shout for joy! You who have never had labor pains, you are now all alone. But you will have more children than a woman who still has a husband,” says the Lord.“ Make a large area for your tent. Spread out its curtains. Go ahead and make your tent wider. Make its ropes longer. Drive the stakes down deeper.You will spread out to the right and the left. Your children after you will drive out the nations that are now living in your land. They will make their homes in the deserted cities of those nations.