23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory –
24 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,’
26 and,‘In the very place where it was said to them,“You are not my people,”there they will be called “children of the living God.” ’
27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:‘Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea,only the remnant will be saved.
28 For the Lord will carry outhis sentence on earth with speed and finality.’
29 It is just as Isaiah said previously:‘Unless the Lord Almightyhad left us descendants,we would have become like Sodom,we would have been like Gomorrah.’