Galatians 4:27
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
27 For it is written,
“Rejoice, you childless one, you who bear no children,
burst into song and shout, you who endure no birth pangs,
for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous
than the children of the one who is married.”(A)
Isaiah 54:1-5
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Eternal Covenant of Peace
54 Shout for joy, O barren one who has borne no children;
burst into song and shout,
you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate woman will be more
than the children of the one who is married, says the Lord.(A)
2 Enlarge the site of your tent,
and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
and strengthen your stakes.(B)
3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left,
and your descendants will possess nations
and will settle desolate towns.(C)
4 Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;
do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace,
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more.(D)
5 For your Maker is your husband;
the Lord of hosts is his name;
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
the God of the whole earth he is called.(E)
Psalm 113:9
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9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!(A)
Ruth 4:14-16
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14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin,[a] and may his name be renowned in Israel!(A) 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.”(B) 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom and became his nurse.
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- 4.14 Or one with the right to redeem
1 Samuel 2:5
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5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.(A)
1 Timothy 5:5
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5 The real widow, left alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,(A)
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Isaiah 49:21
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21 Then you will say in your heart,
“Who has borne me these?
I was bereaved and barren,
exiled and put away—
so who has reared these?
I was left all alone—
where, then, have these come from?”(A)
2 Samuel 13:20
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20 Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother; do not take this to heart.” So Tamar remained, a desolate woman, in her brother Absalom’s house.(A)
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Ruth 1:11-13
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11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters. Why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands?(A) 12 Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, 13 would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.”(B)
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