Hear, then, concerning the people, what the Scripture says: "And Isaac prayed concerning Rebecca his wife, because she was barren; and she conceived. Then Rebecca went out to inquire of the Lord, and the Lord said to her: Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples in your belly, and one people shall surpass the other, and the greater shall serve the lesser."
And in another prophecy Jacob speaks more plainly to Joseph his son, saying: "Behold, the Lord has not deprived me of seeing your face; bring me your sons, that I may bless them."
And he brought Ephraim and Manasseh, desiring that Manasseh be blessed, because he was the elder; for Joseph brought him to the right hand of his father Jacob. But Jacob saw in the Spirit a type of the people that should come after; and what does he say? "And Jacob crossed his hands and laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, the second and younger, and blessed him. And Joseph said to Jacob: Transfer your right hand to the head of Manasseh, for he is my firstborn son. And Jacob said to Joseph: I know, child, I know; but the greater shall serve the lesser, and this one too shall be blessed."
If, then, He also made mention through Abraham, we have the perfection of our knowledge. What, then, does He say to Abraham, when he alone, having believed, was reckoned for righteousness? "Behold, I have set you, Abraham, as a father of nations who believe in God through uncircumcision."