For their sake he remembered his covenant, and because of his great love he relented.

I will remember my covenant with Jacob and with Isaac and with Abraham, and I will renew my promise to give my people the land.

He is a merciful God. He will not abandon you or destroy you, and he will not forget the covenant that he himself made with your ancestors.

You will show your faithfulness and constant love to your people, the descendants of Abraham and of Jacob, as you promised our ancestors long ago.

He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors, and has come to the help of his servant Israel.

He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham and to all his descendants forever!"

He said he would show mercy to our ancestors and remember his sacred covenant.

For I tell you that Christ's life of service was on behalf of the Jews, to show that God is faithful, to make his promises to their ancestors come true,

and to enable even the Gentiles to praise God for his mercy. As the scripture says, "And so I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to you."

The LORD announced his victory; he made his saving power known to the nations.

All nations will remember the LORD. From every part of the world they will turn to him; all races will worship him.

God has blessed us; may all people everywhere honor him.

"Turn to me now and be saved, people all over the world! I am the only God there is.

The LORD said to me, "I have a greater task for you, my servant. Not only will you restore to greatness the people of Israel who have survived, but I will also make you a light to the nations--- so that all the world may be saved."

The LORD will use his holy power; he will save his people, and all the world will see it.

With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:

The whole human race will see God's salvation!' "

For this is the commandment that the Lord has given us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, so that all the world may be saved.' "

And Paul concluded: "You are to know, then, that God's message of salvation has been sent to the Gentiles. They will listen!"

This includes everyone, because there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles; God is the same Lord of all and richly blesses all who call to him.

But I ask: Is it true that they did not hear the message? Of course they did---for as the scripture says: "The sound of their voice went out to all the world; their words reached the ends of the earth."

They sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to break open its seals. For you were killed, and by your sacrificial death you bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation, and race.