ROMANS 9: 6-9 (NEB) "For not all descendants of Israel are truly Israel (Israelites); nor, because they are Abraham's offspring, are they all his true children; but, in the words of Scripture, 'Through the line of Isaac the descendants shall be traced'. That is to say, it is not those born in the course of nature who are children of God; it is the children born through God's promise who are RECKONED as Abraham's descendants" (or Israelites).

Same (NIV) In other words, it is not the natural children (natural-born, or genetic Israelites) who are God's children; but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.

Same (NRSV) This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise who are counted as descendants (Israelites).

Galatians 3: 29 "If you belong to Christ, you are Abraham's offspring, and heirs, according to the promise."

Romans 2: 28 (NRSV) For a person is not a Jew (an Israelite) who is one outwardly -- nor is true circumcision something external and physical. Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart -- it is spiritual, and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others, but from God.

Same (NIV) A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly; nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew (Israelite) if he is one inwardly -- and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

Same (NEB) The true Jew (an "Israelite") is he who is such inwardly; and true circumcision is of the heart, directed not by written precepts, but by the Spirit. Such a man receives his commendation not from men, but from God.

John 1: 11 (NIV) He (Jesus) came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. 12 Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God -- 13 children born not of natural descent (not "genetic" Israelites), nor of human decision, or a husband's will -- but born of God.

Galatians 3: 6-9 (NRSV) "Just as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness; so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham.

Same (NIV) Understand, then, that those who believe ARE children of Abraham. 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Romans 9: 24 (NIV) ..... even us, whom He also called, not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles? 25 As He says in Hosea: "I will call them 'my people' who are not my people ; and I will call her 'my loved one', who is not my loved one." (JNT note: that is, God will consider "my people" to include those who were not genetically born to be "my people" [Israelites]).

Jeremiah 51: 19 (NEB) Israel is the people He claims as His own.
(JNT note: that is, Israel IS the "people" God claims -- and not simply a geographical "nation".)

Ephesians 3: (NIV) 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel, the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel.... members together of ONE BODY -- and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Same (KJV) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his (God's) holy apostles and prophets, by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His (God's) promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, given unto me by the effectual working of His power.

Genesis 32: 24 (KJV) And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when He saw that he prevailed not against him, He touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with Him. 26 And He said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And Jacob said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And He said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 And He said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29 And Jacob asked Him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And He said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And He blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Same (NIV) 28 Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and have overcome." 29 Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then He blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."

Matthew, 5: 17-19 (NEB) "Do not suppose that I have come to abolish the Law, and the prophets. I did not come to abolish.... but to COMPLETE. I tell you this: so long as heaven and earth endure, not a letter, not a stroke, will disappear from the "Law" (part of the "Old Testament) until all that it stands for is accomplished."

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Ephesians 2: 11 (NIV) Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles (non-Jews) by birth, and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men) -- 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise..... without hope, and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ 14 For He himself is our peace -- who has made the two one, and has destroyed the barrier.... the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the Law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself ONE NEW MAN out of the two, thus making peace.... 16 and in this one body to reconcile BOTH of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near. 18 For through Him we BOTH have access to the Father by ONE SPIRIT. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people, and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together.... and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Him, you too are BEING BUILT together to become a dwelling in which GOD LIVES, by his Spirit.