²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above^(A) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.^(C)

⁹ And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’^(A) I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

¹⁰ “Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted.^(A) In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’^(B)

The Future Glory of Zion

An Axhead Floats

6 The company^(A) of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us.

¹⁴ The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.”^(A)

¹⁵ “If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest^(B) and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites^(C) and Rephaites.^(D)”

¹⁶ The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron,^(E) both those in Beth Shan^(F) and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”^(G)