Although for many long centuries the surviving Jews would be scattered, hated, and physically afflicted, because of the prayers of the faithful and the mercy of the Lord, they would not be exterminated. When they finally come to a knowledge of their Redeemer, as a people they will be gathered back to their lands of inheritance.
Those who fight against the divine cause of Zion and against God’s covenant people will be humbled and shamed, although the Lord’s people will not be shamed. His people wait for him (the Hebrew word translated as “wait” means “look to,” “hope for,” “expect,” “anticipate”; see references at footnote 13b). More importantly, the Lord patiently waits for his people to come back (the meaning of the Hebrew verb “to repent” is “to return”).
When Jacob speaks of the Gentiles (“blessed are the Gentiles,” v. 12), he is referring to those who come to America (1 Nephi 13:15–19) and hearken to the Lamb of God (1 Nephi 14:1). They will be numbered among the house of Israel.