God Has Spoken by His Son

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets,

²⁰ First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s^[a] own interpretation, ²¹ because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.^[b](A)

⁶ And he said, “Hear my words:

“Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”^(C)

God’s Spirit Poured Out

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace intended for you made careful search and inquiry,^{(A) 11} inquiring about the time and circumstances^[a] that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings intended for Christ and the subsequent glory.^{(B) 12} It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look!^(C)

² God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”^{(A) 3} Then he said, “I am God,^[a] the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.^{(B) 4} I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s own hand shall close your eyes.”^(C)

²⁷ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.^(A)

³⁰ Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne.^(A)

The Call of Abram

12 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.^{(A) 2} I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.^{(B) 3} I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”^[a](C)