Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
“ Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord.
For it is written:“ Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”
Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive.She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said,“ God has taken away my disgrace.”
Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.Sarah said,“ God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”And she added,“ Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
But the angel said to him:“ Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
