“ Suppose there are outsiders who don’t belong to your people Israel. And they have come from a land far away. They’ve come because they’ve heard about your name.

“论到不属你民以色列的外邦人，为你名从远方而来，

“论到不属你百姓以色列的外邦人，若为你的名从远方而来，

“论到不属你百姓以色列的外邦人，若为你的名从远方而来，

“如果有远方的外族人听说你的大能大力，慕名而来，向着这殿祷告，

“至于不属于你的子民以色列的外族人，为了你的名的缘故从远地而来，

「論到不屬你民以色列的外邦人，為你名從遠方而來，

「論到不屬你百姓以色列的外邦人，若為你的名從遠方而來，

「論到不屬你百姓以色列的外邦人，若為你的名從遠方而來，

「如果有遠方的外族人聽說你的大能大力，慕名而來，向著這殿禱告，

“至於不屬於你的子民以色列的外族人，為了你的名的緣故從遠地而來，

『至於外族人、不屬於你人民以色列的，他們也為了你的名從遠地而來，

至於外族、不屬爾民以色列者、為爾之名而至、

如有賓旅、不屬於以色列族、聞爾名譽、知爾大能巨力、自遠方來、至於斯殿、祈求於爾、

如有外邦人不屬主之民以色列者、聞主之大名大能大力、為主之名自遠方來、在在或作向此殿祈禱、

“ As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name—

“ Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for your name’s sake

“ In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands because of your name,

Even for the foreigner who is not of your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name—

“ Also regarding the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel, when he comes from a far country on account of Your name

“ Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake

Moreover concerning the foreigner, that is not of thy people Israel, when he shall come out of a far country for thy name’s sake

Even for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name—

Moreover concerning a stranger, that[ is] not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name’s sake;

“ Foreigners, who do not belong to your people Israel, will come from a distant land because of your reputation.

“ Moreover concerning the foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, when he comes out of a far country for your name’s sake

The queen of Sheba heard about how famous Solomon was. She also heard about how he served and worshiped the Lord. So she came to test Solomon with hard questions.She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large group of attendants. Her camels were carrying spices, huge amounts of gold, and valuable jewels. She came to Solomon and asked him about everything she wanted to know.

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?”

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.”The Lord says,“ Suppose some eunuchs keep my Sabbath days. They choose to do what pleases me. And they are faithful in keeping my covenant.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.“ Suppose outsiders want to follow me and serve me. They want to love me and worship me. They keep the Sabbath day and do not misuse it. And they are faithful in keeping my covenant.Then I will bring them to my holy mountain of Zion. I will give them joy in my house. They can pray there. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices on my altar. My house will be called a house where people from all nations can pray.”

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.

Naaman was army commander of the king of Aram. He was very important to his master and was highly respected. That’s because the Lord had helped him win the battle over Aram’s enemies. He was a brave soldier. But he had a skin disease.Groups of soldiers from Aram had marched out. They had captured a young girl from Israel. She became a servant of Naaman’s wife.The young girl spoke to the woman she was serving. She said,“ I wish my master would go and see the prophet who is in Samaria. He would heal my master of his skin disease.”Naaman went to see his own master. He told him what the girl from Israel had said.“ I think you should go,” the king of Aram replied.“ I’ll give you a letter to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left. He took 750 pounds of silver with him. He also took 150 pounds of gold. And he took ten sets of clothes.He carried the letter to the king of Israel. It said,“ I’m sending my servant Naaman to you with this letter. I want you to heal him of his skin disease.”The king of Israel read the letter. As soon as he did, he tore his royal robes. He said,“ Am I God? Can I kill people and bring them back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be healed of his skin disease? He must be trying to pick a fight with me!”

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. This happened while Herod was king of Judea. After Jesus’ birth, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem.

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.One day about three o’clock in the afternoon he had a vision. He saw clearly an angel of God. The angel came to him and said,“ Cornelius!”Cornelius was afraid. He stared at the angel.“ What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered,“ Your prayers and gifts to poor people are like an offering to God. So he has remembered you.

There were some Greeks among the people who went up to worship during the feast.

The Queen of the South will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And she will prove that they are guilty. She came from very far away to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. And now something more important than Solomon is here.

But Ruth replied,“ Don’t try to make me leave you and go back. Where you go I’ll go. Where you stay I’ll stay. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God.

A woman from Canaan lived near Tyre and Sidon. She came to him and cried out,“ Lord! Son of David! Have mercy on me! A demon controls my daughter. She is suffering terribly.”Jesus did not say a word. So his disciples came to him. They begged him,“ Send her away. She keeps crying out after us.”Jesus answered,“ I was sent only to the people of Israel. They are like lost sheep.”Then the woman fell to her knees in front of him.“ Lord! Help me!” she said.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.”Then Jesus said to her,“ Woman, you have great faith! You will be given what you are asking for.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

The prophet answered,“ I serve the Lord. You can be sure that he lives. And you can be just as sure that I won’t accept a gift from you.” Even though Naaman begged him to take it, Elisha wouldn’t.“ I can see that you won’t accept a gift from me,” said Naaman.“ But please let me have some soil from your land. Give me as much as a pair of mules can carry. Here’s why I want it. I won’t ever bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god again. I’ll bring them only to the Lord. I’ll worship him on his own soil.

Moses told Jethro everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The Lord did all of this because of how much he loved Israel. Moses told Jethro about all their hard times along the way. He told him about how the Lord had saved them.Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel. He heard about how God had saved them from the power of the Egyptians.He said,“ I praise the Lord. He saved you and your people from the power of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh.Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods. See what he did to those who looked down on Israel.”Then Moses’ father- in- law Jethro brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God. Aaron came with all the elders of Israel. They ate a meal with Moses’ father- in- law in the sight of God.

“ People of Jerusalem, get up. Shine, because your light has come. The glory of the Lord will shine on you.Darkness covers the earth. Thick darkness spreads over the nations. But I will rise and shine on you. My glory will appear over you.Nations will come to your light. Kings will come to the brightness of your new day.“ 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.

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a Roman commander came to him. He asked Jesus for help.

Boaz replied,“ I’ve been told all about you. I’ve heard about everything you have done for your mother- in- law since your husband died. I know that you left your father and mother. I know that you left your country. You came to live with people you didn’t know before.

Didn’t anyone else return and give praise to God except this outsider?”

“ Suppose an outsider who doesn’t belong to your people Israel has come from a land far away. They have come because they’ve heard about your great name. They have heard that you reached out your mighty hand and powerful arm. So they come and pray toward this temple.