The Lord’s Covenant With Abram

15 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram^(A) in a vision:^(B)

⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.^(A)

⁷ He also said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out^(B) of Ur of the Chaldeans^(C) to give you this land to take possession of it.”^(D)

⁸ But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord,^(E) how can I know^(F) that I will gain possession of it?”^(G)

⁹ So the Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer,^(H) a goat and a ram, each three years old,^(I) along with a dove and a young pigeon.^(J)”

¹⁰ Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other;^(K) the birds, however, he did not cut in half.^(L)

¹⁷ When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch^(A) appeared and passed between the pieces.^(B)

⁷ I will establish my covenant^(A) as an everlasting covenant^(B) between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God^(C) and the God of your descendants after you.^(D)

⁹ Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant,^(A) you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.^{(B) 10} This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.^{(C) 11} You are to undergo circumcision,^(D) and it will be the sign of the covenant^(E) between me and you. ¹² For the generations to come^(F) every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised,^(G) including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring.

¹⁶ Circumcise^(A) your hearts,^(B) therefore, and do not be stiff-necked^(C) any longer.

⁶ The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants,^(A) so that you may love^(B) him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

The Little Children and Jesus^(A)

¹³ Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them^(B) and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs^(C) to such as these.”^{(D) 15} When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,^(A) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.^(B) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^{(C) 39} The promise is for you and your children^(D) and for all who are far off^(E)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”