²¹ Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless.^(A) The Lord answered his prayer,^(B) and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

²³ So we fasted^(A) and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

¹³ But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,^(A) Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.^(B)

¹³ And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.

¹⁰ Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.^{(A) 11} Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad^(B)—in order that God’s purpose^(C) in election might stand: ¹² not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”^[a](D)

²⁰ They were helped^(A) in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried^(B) out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted^(C) in him.

²⁷ I prayed^(A) for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.

² But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord,^(A) what can you give me since I remain childless^(B) and the one who will inherit^[a] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?^(C)” ³ And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant^(D) in my household^(E) will be my heir.”