¹⁷ For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see^(A) but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

¹³ All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised;^(A) they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,^(B) admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.^(C)

⁵⁶ Your father Abraham^(A) rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it^(B) and was glad.”

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke^(A) of the grace that was to come to you,^(B) searched intently and with the greatest care,^{(C) 11} trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ^(D) in them was pointing when he predicted^(E) the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. ¹² It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you,^(F) when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you^(G) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.^(H) Even angels long to look into these things.

²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”^(A)

⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.^{(A) 6} This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(B) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(C) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.^(D)

³⁹ These were all commended^(A) for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,^{(B) 40} since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us^(C) would they be made perfect.^(D)