Hebrews 6:12-18

New International Version

¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate^(A) those who through faith and patience^(B) inherit what has been promised.^(C)

The Certainty of God’s Promise

¹³ When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,^{(D) 14} saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”^{[a](E) 15} And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.^(F)

¹⁶ People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.^{(G) 17} Because God wanted to make the unchanging^(H) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,^(I) he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸ God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,^(J) we who have fled to take hold of the hope^(K) set before us may be greatly encouraged.