⁴⁰ I will make an everlasting covenant^(A) with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire^(B) them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.^(C)

⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power^(A) until the coming of the salvation^(B) that is ready to be revealed^(C) in the last time.

¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above,^(A) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,^(B) who does not change^(C) like shifting shadows.

The Certainty of God’s Promise

¹³ When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,^{(A) 14} saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”^{[a](B) 15} And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.^(C)

¹⁶ People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.^{(D) 17} Because God wanted to make the unchanging^(E) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,^(F) 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,^(G) we who have fled to take hold of the hope^(H) set before us may be greatly encouraged.

²⁹ I will no longer hide my face^(A) from them, for I will pour out my Spirit^(B) on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(C)”

²⁶ I will give you a new heart^(A) and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone^(B) and give you a heart of flesh.^(C)

⁷ I will give them a heart to know^(A) me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people,^(B) and I will be their God, for they will return^(C) to me with all their heart.^(D)