New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:
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When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,
14 “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”
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saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”
15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.
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And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding.
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People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.
17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.
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Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.
18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.
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God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.
19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
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We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
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where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
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Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.