1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am the Almighty God. Obey me and always do what is right.
2
I will make my covenant with you and give you many descendants."
3
Abram bowed down with his face touching the ground, and God said,
4
"I make this covenant with you: I promise that you will be the ancestor of many nations.
5
Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, because I am making you the ancestor of many nations. 1
6
I will give you many descendants, and some of them will be kings. You will have so many descendants that they will become nations.
7
"I will keep my promise to you and to your descendants in future generations as an everlasting covenant. I will be your God and the God of your descendants. 2
8
I will give to you and to your descendants this land in which you are now a foreigner. The whole land of Canaan will belong to your descendants forever, and I will be their God." 3