¹⁵ And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.^(A)

¹⁶ People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.^{(B) 17} Because God wanted to make the unchanging^(C) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,^(D) 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,^(E) we who have fled to take hold of the hope^(F) set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,^{(G) 20} where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.^(H) He has become a high priest^(I) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.^(J)