Isaiah 56:3–8

³Suppose an outsider wants to follow the Lord.

Then he shouldn’t say,

“The Lord won’t accept me as one of his people.”

And a eunuch shouldn’t say,

“I’m like a dry tree

that doesn’t bear any fruit.”

⁴The Lord says,

“Suppose some eunuchs keep my Sabbath days.

They choose to do what pleases me.

And they are faithful in keeping my covenant.

⁵Then I will set up a monument in the area of my temple.

Their names will be written on it.

That will be better for them than having sons and daughters.

The names of the eunuchs will be remembered forever.

They will never be forgotten.

⁶“Suppose outsiders want to follow me

and serve me.

They want to love me

and worship me.

They keep the Sabbath day and do not misuse it.

And they are faithful in keeping my covenant.

⁷Then I will bring them to my holy mountain of Zion.

I will give them joy in my house.

They can pray there.

I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices on my altar.

My house will be called

a house where people from all nations can pray.”

⁸The Lord and King will gather

those who were taken away from their homes in Israel.

He announces, “I will gather them to myself.

And I will gather others to join them.”