¹⁶ and said, “I swear by myself,^(A) declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,^{(B) 17} I will surely bless you^(C) and make your descendants^(D) as numerous as the stars in the sky^(E) and as the sand on the seashore.^(F) Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,^{(G) 18} and through your offspring^[a] all nations on earth will be blessed,^[b](H) because you have obeyed me.”^(I)

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,^(A)