who are Israelites. To them belong ¹  the adoption as sons, ²  the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, ³  and the promises.

For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised ¹  on behalf of God’s truth to confirm the promises made to the fathers, ² 

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves ¹  from everything that could defile the body ²  and the spirit, and thus accomplish ³  holiness out of reverence for God. ⁴ 

For every one of God’s promises are “Yes” in him; therefore also through him the “Amen” is spoken, to the glory we give to God.

But Melchizedek ¹  who does not share their ancestry ²  collected a tithe ³  from Abraham and blessed ⁴  the one who possessed the promise.

But ¹  now Jesus ²  has obtained a superior ministry, since ³  the covenant that he mediates is also better and is enacted ⁴  on better promises. ⁵ 

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises, ¹  yet he was ready to offer up ²  his only son.

Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, ¹  gained what was promised, ²  shut the mouths of lions,

so that you may not be sluggish, ¹  but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.

Has his loyal love disappeared forever? Has his promise ¹  failed forever?

Through these things ¹  he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised ²  you may become partakers of the divine nature, ³  after escaping ⁴  the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire. ⁵ 

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. ¹  Scripture ²  does not say, “and to the descendants,” ³  referring to many, but “and to your descendant,” ⁴  referring to one, who is Christ.

Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? ¹  Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. ² 

Not one of the Lord’s faithful promises to the family of Israel ¹  was left unfulfilled; every one was realized. ² 

They believed his promises; ¹  they sang praises to him.

These all died in faith without receiving the things promised, ¹  but they saw them in the distance and welcomed them and acknowledged that they were strangers and foreigners ²  on the earth.

Remember your covenant promises, ¹  for the dark regions of the earth are full of places where violence rules. ² 

The Lord’s words are absolutely reliable. ¹  They are as untainted as silver purified in a furnace on the ground, where it is thoroughly refined. ² 

senseless, covenant-breakers, ¹  heartless, ruthless.

Confirm to your servant your promise, ¹  which you made to the one who honors you. ²