Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
1After 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.” | 1After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." |
2But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” | 2But Abram said, "Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" |
3Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.” | 3And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." |
4Then 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.” | 4Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir." |
5And 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.” | 5He took him outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." |
6Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. | 6Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. |
7The LORD also told him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” | 7He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it." |
8But Abram replied, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?” | 8But Abram said, "Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?" |
9And 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.” | 9So the LORD said to him, "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon." |
10So 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. | 10Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. |
11And the birds of prey descended on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. | 11Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. |
12As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and suddenly great terror and darkness overwhelmed him. | 12As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. |
13Then 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. | 13Then the LORD said to him, "Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. |
14But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions. | 14But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. |
15You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age. | 15You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. |
16In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” | 16In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." |
17When 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. | 17When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. |
18On 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— | 18On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates-- |
19the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, | 19the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, |
20Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, | 20Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, |
21Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.” | 21Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites." |
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