But ye are "an elect race, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation," a people for a possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

But it is not as though the word of God has failed: for they are not all Israel, who are of Israel; neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children; but, "In Isaac shall your seed be called." That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed.

And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Accordingly, therefore, ye are no longer strangers and sojourners; but ye are fellow-citizens of the saints and of the house-hold of God;

For since through man came death, through Man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive;

Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned; for until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not reckoned, when there is no law: but yet death reigned from Adam until Moses even over those who sinned not after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a type of Him Who was to come.read more.
But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift; for, if by the trespass of the one, the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the One Man, Christ Jesus, abound to the many. And not as through one that sinned, so is the gift; for, indeed, the judgment came of one trespass unto condemnation; but the free gift came of many trespasses unto justification. For, if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall those who receive the abundance of the grace, and of the gift of righteousness, reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. So, then, as through one trespass, the judgment came to all men unto condemnation; so also, through one righteous act, the free gift came to all men unto justification of life. For as, through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners; so also through the obedience of the One, shall the many be constituted righteous. And the law entered, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did super-abound;

who, past hope, believed against hope, to the end that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So shall your seed be." And, being not weakened in faith, he attentively considered his own body already dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb; but, in view of the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but was made strong in faith, giving glory to God,read more.
and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform. Wherefore also it was reckoned to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned to him; but for ours also, to whom it will be reckoned, if we believe on Him Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered up for our trespasses, and raised for our justification.

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. Know, then, that those who are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the gentiles through faith, proclaimed beforehand the Gospel to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed."read more.
So that those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all (first, indeed, interpreted as "King of Righteousness," and then also "King of Salem"??hich is king of peace; without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like to the Son of God), abides a priest continually.

If, therefore, there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there, that another Priest should arise according to the rank of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned according to the rank of Aaron? For, the priesthood being changed, there is made, of necessity, a change of law also. For He of Whom these things are spoken hath taken part in a different tribe from which no one gave attendance at the altar.read more.
For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah, respecting which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests. And it is yet far more evident; if, according to the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another Priest, Who hath been made Priest, not according to a law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an endless life; for it is testified of Him, "Thou art a Priest forever according to the rank of Melchizedek."

For it has been written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bond-woman, and one by the free-woman. But the one by the bond-woman has been born after the flesh; and the one by the free-woman, through promise. Which things are an allegory; for these women are two covenants; one, indeed, from mount Sinai, bringing forth into servitude, which is Hagarread more.
(for the word Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia), and corresponds to the present Jerusalem; for she is in bondage with her children. But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which, indeed, is our mother;

for it has been written, "Rejoice, O barren, that bear not! Break forth and cry, you that travail not! because many are the children of the desolate, rather than of her who has the husband." But ye, brethren, after the manner of Isaac, are children of promise. But, just as then, the one born after the flesh kept persecuting him born after the Spirit, so also is it now.read more.
But what says the Scripture? "Cast out the bond-woman and her son; for the son of the bond-woman shall in nowise inherit with the son of the free-woman." Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a bond-woman, but of the free-woman.

And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David; and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end."

I speak not concerning all of you: I know whom I chose; but, that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He that eats My bread lifted up his heel against Me.'

"I, Jesus, sent My angel to testify to you these things to the assemblies. I am the root and offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.

"A queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it; because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.