Suppose an outsider wants to follow the Lord. Then that person shouldn’t say,“ The Lord won’t accept me as one of his people.” And a eunuch shouldn’t say,“ I’m like a dry tree that doesn’t bear any fruit.”

与耶和华联合的外邦人不要说：“耶和华必定将我从他民中分别出来。”太监也不要说：“我是枯树。”

与耶和华联合的外邦人不要说：“耶和华将我和他的子民分别出来。”太监也不要说：“看哪，我是枯树。”

与耶和华联合的外邦人不要说：“耶和华将我和他的子民分别出来。”太监也不要说：“看哪，我是枯树。”

皈依耶和华的外族人啊，不要以为耶和华会把你和祂的子民分开，太监也不要觉得自己只是一棵枯树。

与耶和华联合的外族人不要说：“耶和华必把我从他的子民中分别出来。”被阉割了的人也不要说：“看哪！我是一棵枯树。”

不要让归附于耶和华的外邦人说：“耶和华必定会把我从他的子民中分离出去。”也不要让被阉割的人说：“看哪，我是一棵枯树！”

與耶和華聯合的外邦人不要說：耶和華必定將我從他民中分別出來。太監也不要說：我是枯樹。

與耶和華聯合的外邦人不要說：「耶和華將我和他的子民分別出來。」太監也不要說：「看哪，我是枯樹。」

與耶和華聯合的外邦人不要說：「耶和華將我和他的子民分別出來。」太監也不要說：「看哪，我是枯樹。」

皈依耶和華的外族人啊，不要以為耶和華會把你和祂的子民分開，太監也不要覺得自己只是一棵枯樹。

與耶和華聯合的外族人不要說：“耶和華必把我從他的子民中分別出來。”被閹割了的人也不要說：“看哪！我是一棵枯樹。”

皈依永恆主的外族人不要說：『永恆主必定將我從他人民中分別出來』；被閹割的人也不要說：『唉，我是棵枯乾了的樹了。』

不要讓歸附於耶和華的外邦人說：「耶和華必定會把我從他的子民中分離出去。」也不要讓被閹割的人說：「看哪，我是一棵枯樹！」

附耶和華之異邦人、勿曰耶和華必別我於其民、閹者勿曰我乃枯木、

異邦之人歸誠於我者、勿曰、耶和華不以我為赤子、閹者亦勿曰、我若枯木、

異邦之人歸主者勿曰、主必別我於其民之中、閹者亦勿曰、我若枯木、

Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say,“ The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” And let no eunuch complain,“ I am only a dry tree.”

Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say,“ The Lord will surely separate me from his people”; and let not the eunuch say,“ Behold, I am a dry tree.”

“ Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord say,‘ The Lord will never let me be part of his people.’ And don’t let the eunuchs say,‘ I’m a dried up tree with no children and no future.’

No foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD should say,“ The LORD will exclude me from his people,” and the eunuch should not say,“ Look, I am a dried-up tree.”

Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say,“ The Lord will certainly separate me from His people.” Nor let the eunuch say,“ Behold, I am a dry tree.”

Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to the Lord Speak, saying,“ The Lord has utterly separated me from His people”; Nor let the eunuch say,“ Here I am, a dry tree.”

Neither let the foreigner, that hath joined himself to Jehovah, speak, saying, Jehovah will surely separate me from his people; neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

No foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord should say,“ The Lord will exclude me from His people”; and the eunuch should not say,“ Look, I am a dried-up tree.”

Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I[ am] a dry tree.

No foreigner who becomes a follower of the LORD should say,‘ The LORD will certainly exclude me from his people.’ The eunuch should not say,‘ Look, I am like a dried-up tree.’”

Let no foreigner who has joined himself to Yahweh speak, saying,“ Yahweh will surely separate me from his people.” Do not let the eunuch say,“ Behold, I am a dry tree.”

Jesus became a servant of the Jews. He did this so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercy. It is written,“ I will praise you among the Gentiles. I will sing the praises of your name.”( 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49)Again it says,“ You Gentiles, be full of joy. Be joyful together with God’s people.”( Deuteronomy 32:43)And again it says,“ All you Gentiles, praise the Lord. Let all the nations sing praises to him.”( Psalm 117:1)And Isaiah says,“ The Root of Jesse will grow up quickly. He will rule over the nations. The Gentiles will put their hope in him.”( Isaiah 11:10)

He continued,“ Many nations will still come to you. And those who live in many cities will also come.The people who live in one city will go to another city. They will say,‘ Let’s go right away to ask the Lord for his blessing. Let’s look to him as our God. We ourselves are going.’Large numbers of people and nations will come to Jerusalem. They will look to me. They will ask me to bless them.”He continued,“ At that time many people of all nations and languages will take hold of one Jew. They will grab hold of the hem of his robe. And they will say,‘ We want to go to Jerusalem with you. We’ve heard that God is with you.’ ”

The king gave Ashpenaz an order. Ashpenaz was the chief of Nebuchadnezzar’s court officials. The king told him to bring him some of the Israelites. The king wanted them to serve him in his court. He wanted nobles and men from the royal family.He was looking for young men who were healthy and handsome. They had to be able to learn anything. They had to be well educated. They had to have the ability to understand new things quickly and easily. The king wanted men who could serve in his palace. Ashpenaz was supposed to teach them the Babylonian language and writings.The king had his servants give them food and wine from his own table. They received a certain amount every day. The young men had to be trained for three years. After that, they could begin to serve the king.Some of the men chosen were from Judah. Their names were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.The chief official gave them new names. He gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar. He gave Hananiah the name Shadrach. He gave Mishael the name Meshach. And he gave Azariah the name Abednego.Daniel decided not to make himself“ unclean” by eating the king’s food and drinking his wine. So he asked the chief official for a favor. He wanted permission not to make himself“ unclean” with the king’s food and wine.God had caused the official to be kind and friendly to Daniel.But the official refused to do what Daniel asked for. He said,“ I’m afraid of the king. He is my master. He has decided what you and your three friends must eat and drink. Other young men are the same age as you. Why should he see you looking worse than them? When he sees how you look, he might kill me.”So Daniel spoke to one of the guards. The chief official had appointed him over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.Daniel said to him,“ Please test us for ten days. Give us nothing but vegetables to eat. And give us only water to drink.Then compare us with the young men who eat the king’s food. See how we look. After that, do what you want to.”So the guard agreed. He tested them for ten days.After the ten days Daniel and his friends looked healthy and well fed. In fact, they looked better than any of the young men who ate the king’s food.So the guard didn’t require them to eat the king’s special food. He didn’t require them to drink the king’s wine either. He gave them vegetables instead.God gave knowledge and understanding to these four young men. So they understood all kinds of writings and subjects. And Daniel could understand all kinds of visions and dreams.The three years the king had set for their training ended. So the chief official brought them to Nebuchadnezzar.The king talked with them. He didn’t find anyone equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. So they began to serve the king.He asked them for advice in matters that required wisdom and understanding. The king always found their answers to be the best. Other men in his kingdom claimed to get knowledge by using magic. But the answers of Daniel and his friends were ten times better than theirs.Daniel served in Babylon until the first year Cyrus ruled over the land of Babylon. Cyrus was king of Persia.

This is what the Lord has commanded us to do. He said,“‘ I have made you a light for the Gentiles. You will bring salvation to the whole earth.’ ”( Isaiah 49:6)When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad. They honored the word of the Lord. All who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Then I will set up a monument in the area of my temple. Their names will be written on it. That will be better for them than having sons and daughters. The names of the eunuchs will be remembered forever. They will never be forgotten.

“ Go. Speak to Ebed- Melek the Cushite. Tell him,‘ The Lord who rules over all is the God of Israel. He says,“ I am about to make the words I spoke against this city come true. I will not give success to it. Instead, I will bring horrible trouble on it. At that time my words will come true. You will see it with your own eyes.But I will save you on that day,” announces the Lord.“ You will not be handed over to those you are afraid of.

I, Peter, am writing this letter. I am an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am sending this letter to you, God’s chosen people. You are people who have had to wander in the world. You are scattered all over the areas of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.

to serve Christ Jesus among the Gentiles. I have the duty of a priest to preach God’s good news. Then the Gentiles will become an offering that pleases God. The Holy Spirit will make the offering holy.

The Lord will show tender love toward Jacob’s people. Once again he will choose Israel. He’ll give them homes in their own land. Outsiders will join them. They and the people of Jacob will become one people.

Ebed- Melek was an official in the royal palace. He was from the land of Cush. He heard that Jeremiah had been put into the well. The king was sitting by the Benjamin Gate at that time.Ebed- Melek went out of the palace. He said to the king,“ My king and master, everything these men have done to Jeremiah the prophet is evil. They have thrown him into an empty well. Soon there won’t be any more bread in the city. Then he’ll starve to death.”So the king gave an order to Ebed- Melek the Cushite. He said,“ Take with you 30 men from here. Lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the well before he dies.”Then Ebed- Melek took the men with him. He went to a room in the palace. It was under the place where the treasures were stored. He got some old rags and worn- out clothes from there. Then he let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the well.Ebed- Melek the Cushite told Jeremiah what to do. Ebed- Melek said,“ Put these old rags and worn- out clothes under your arms. They’ll pad the ropes.” So Jeremiah did.Then the men pulled him up with the ropes. They lifted him out of the well. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

He replied,“ It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”“ Yes it is, Lord,” she said.“ Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their owner’s table.”

His words won over some of the Jews. They joined Paul and Silas. A large number of Greeks who worshiped God joined them too. So did quite a few important women.

But there will be glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good. That is meant first for the Jews. It is also meant for the Gentiles.God treats everyone the same.

They will ask how to get to Zion. Then they will turn their faces toward it. They will come and join themselves to me. They will enter into the covenant I make with them. It will last forever. It will never be forgotten.

A man named Cornelius lived in Caesarea. He was a Roman commander in the Italian Regiment.Cornelius and all his family were faithful and worshiped God. He gave freely to people who were in need. He prayed to God regularly.

So Jesus went with them. When Jesus came near the house, the Roman commander sent friends to him. He told them to say,“ Lord, don’t trouble yourself. I am not good enough to have you come into my house.That is why I did not even think I was fit to come to you. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.I myself am a man who is under authority. And I have soldiers who obey my orders. I tell this one,‘ Go,’ and he goes. I tell that one,‘ Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant,‘ Do this,’ and he does it.”

Then Paul left the synagogue and went to the house next door. It was the house of Titius Justus, a man who worshiped God.

Some men are not able to have children because they were born that way. Some have been made that way by other people. Others have chosen to live that way in order to serve the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”Some people brought little children to Jesus. They wanted him to place his hands on the children and pray for them. But the disciples told them not to do it.Jesus said,“ Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.”Jesus placed his hands on them to bless them. Then he went on from there.Just then, a man came up to Jesus. He asked,“ Teacher, what good thing must I do to receive eternal life?”“ Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied.“ There is only one who is good. If you want to enter the kingdom, obey the commandments.”“ Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus said,“‘ Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not be a false witness.Honor your father and mother.’( Exodus 20:12–16; Deuteronomy 5:16–20) And‘ love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ”( Leviticus 19:18)“ I have obeyed all those commandments,” the young man said.“ What else do I need to do?”Jesus answered,“ If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”When the young man heard this, he went away sad. He was very rich.Then Jesus said to his disciples,“ What I’m about to tell you is true. It is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.Again I tell you, it is hard for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. But it is even harder for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”When the disciples heard this, they were really amazed. They asked,“ Then who can be saved?”Jesus looked at them and said,“ With people, this is impossible. But with God, all things are possible.”Peter answered him,“ We have left everything to follow you! What reward will be given to us?”“ What I’m about to tell you is true,” Jesus said to them.“ When all things are made new, the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne. Then you who have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones. You will judge the 12 tribes of Israel.Suppose anyone has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, husband or wife, children or fields because of me. Anyone who has done that will receive 100 times as much. They will also receive eternal life.But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.

Then Peter began to speak.“ I now realize how true it is that God treats everyone the same,” he said.

And because you belong to him, you too are being built together. You are being made into a house where God lives through his Spirit.

But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one with him in spirit.

‘ Some of the members of your family line will be taken away. They will be your own flesh and blood. They will include the children who will be born into your family line. And they will serve the king of Babylon in his palace.’ ”

Before you believed in Christ, you were separated from him. You were not considered to be citizens of Israel. You were not included in what the covenants promised. You were without hope and without God in the world.

But only you and your sons can serve as priests. Only you and your sons can work with everything at the altar and behind the curtain. I am letting you serve as priests. It is a gift from me. Anyone else who comes near the sacred tent must be put to death.”

The Lord who rules over all will terrify Moab and Ammon. He will destroy all the gods on earth. Then distant nations will bow down to him. All of them will serve him in their own lands.

No man whose sex organs have been crushed or cut can join in worship with the Lord’ s people.No one born to an unmarried woman can join in worship with the Lord’ s people. That also applies to the person’s children for all time to come.The people of Ammon and Moab can’t join in worship with the Lord’ s people. That also applies to their children after them for all time to come.

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He said to those following him,“ What I’m about to tell you is true. In Israel I have not found anyone whose faith is so strong.I say to you that many will come from the east and the west. They will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of heaven. They will sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

They will help you take care of the tent of meeting. They will join you in all the work at the tent. No one else can come near you there.

An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip.“ Go south to the desert road,” he said.“ It’s the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”So Philip started out. On his way he met an Ethiopian official. The man had an important position in charge of all the wealth of the Kandake. Kandake means queen of Ethiopia. This official had gone to Jerusalem to worship.On his way home he was sitting in his chariot. He was reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.The Holy Spirit told Philip,“ Go to that chariot. Stay near it.”So Philip ran up to the chariot. He heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet.“ Do you understand what you’re reading?” Philip asked.“ How can I?” he said.“ I need someone to explain it to me.” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.Here is the part of Scripture the official was reading. It says,“ He was led like a sheep to be killed. Just as lambs are silent while their wool is being cut off, he did not open his mouth.When he was treated badly, he was refused a fair trial. Who can say anything about his children? His life was cut off from the earth.”( Isaiah 53:7, 8)The official said to Philip,“ Tell me, please. Who is the prophet talking about? Himself, or someone else?”Then Philip began with that same part of Scripture. He told him the good news about Jesus.As they traveled along the road, they came to some water. The official said,“ Look! Here is water! What can stop me from being baptized?”