a full, own sister

one connected by the tie of the Christian religion

firm

1. metaph. faithful

verily, amen

1. at the beginning of a discourse - surely, truly, of a truth

2. at the end - so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled. It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues to the Christian assemblies, that when he who had read or discoursed, had offered up solemn prayer to God, the others responded Amen, and thus made the substance of what was uttered their own.

   The word "amen" is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best known word in human speech. The word is directly related — in fact, almost identical — to the Hebrew word for "believe" (amam), or faithful. Thus, it came to mean "sure" or "truly", an expression of absolute trust and confidence. — HMM

to draw to one's self

1. to salute one, greet, bid welcome, wish well to

2. to receive joyfully, welcome

   Used of those accosting anyone; of those who visit one to see him a little while, departing almost immediately afterwards; to pay respects to a distinguished person by visiting him; of those who greet one whom they meet in the way; a salutation was made not merely by a slight gesture and a few words, but generally by embracing and kissing, a journey was retarded frequently by saluting.

picked out, chosen

1. chosen by God,

   1. to obtain salvation through Christ

      1. Christians are called "chosen or elect" of God

   2. the Messiah is called "elect", as appointed by God to the most exalted office conceivable

   3. choice, select, i.e. the best of its kind or class, excellence preeminent: applied to certain individual Christians

this, that, these, etc. Only significant renderings other than "the" counted

thou, thee

thy, thee

you

offspring, children

1. child

   1. a male child, a son

2. metaph.

   1. the name transferred to that intimate and reciprocal relationship formed between men by the bonds of love, friendship, trust, just as between parents and children

   2. in affectionate address, such as patrons, helpers, teachers and the like employ: my child

   3. in the NT, pupils or disciples are called children of their teachers, because the latter by their instruction nourish the minds of their pupils and mould their characters

   4. children of God: in the OT of "the people of Israel" as especially dear to God, in the NT, in Paul's writings, all who are led by the Spirit of God and thus closely related to God

   5. children of the devil: those who in thought and action are prompted by the devil, and so reflect his character

3. metaph.

   1. of anything who depends upon it, is possessed by a desire or affection for it, is addicted to it

   2. one who is liable to any fate

      1. thus children of a city: it citizens and inhabitants

   3. the votaries of wisdom, those souls who have, as it were, been nurtured and moulded by wisdom

   4. cursed children, exposed to a curse and doomed to God's wrath or penalty