1 Clement 29

1Therefore let us come near to him in holiness of soul, lifting pure and undefiled hands to him, loving our gentle and compassionate Father, who has made us a chosen portion for himself.

2For thus it is written: “When the Most High divided the nations, when he scattered the sons of Adam, he fixed the boundaries of the nations according to the number of the angels of God. And his people Jacob became the Lord’s portion, Israel the measuring-line of his inheritance.”

3And in another place he says: “Behold, the Lord takes for himself a nation from the midst of nations, as a man takes the firstfruits of his threshing floor; and from that nation the Holy of Holies shall come forth.”