Genesis 15
- 1
After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Begin Abide·
- 2
But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Begin Abide·
- 3
Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Begin Abide·
- 4
Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” Begin Abide·
- 5
And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” Begin Abide·
- 6
Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Begin Abide·
- 7
The LORD also told him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” Begin Abide·
- 8
But Abram replied, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?” Begin Abide·
- 9
And the LORD said to him, “Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon.” Begin Abide·
- 10
So Abram brought all these to Him, split each of them down the middle, and laid the halves opposite each other. The birds, however, he did not cut in half. Begin Abide·
- 11
And the birds of prey descended on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. Begin Abide·
- 12
As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and suddenly great terror and darkness overwhelmed him. Begin Abide·
- 13
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. Begin Abide·
- 14
But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions. Begin Abide·
- 15
You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age. Begin Abide·
- 16
In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” Begin Abide·
- 17
When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the halves of the carcasses. Begin Abide·
- 18
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— Begin Abide·
- 19
the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Begin Abide·
- 20
Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Begin Abide·
- 21
Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.” Begin Abide·