Sprinkled with the blood of Christ, our hearts have been made free from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

So come near to God with a sincere heart, full of confidence because of our faith in Christ.

We must hold on to the hope we have, never hesitating to tell people about it.

We can trust God to do what he promised.

We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works.

We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing.

No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer.

After you have done what God wants, you will get what he promised you.

As it is written in the Scriptures: “I am making you a father of many nations.” This is true before God. Abraham believed in God—the God who gives life to the dead and decides that things will happen that have not yet happened. There was no hope that Abraham would have children. But Abraham believed God and continued hoping. And that is why he became the father of many nations. As God told him, “Your descendants will also be too many to count.” Abraham was almost 100 years old, much past the age for having children. Also, Sarah could not have children. Abraham thought about all of this. But his faith in God did not become weak. He never doubted that God would keep his promise. Abraham never stopped believing. He grew stronger in his faith and gave praise to God. Abraham felt sure that God was able to do the thing that God promised. So, “God accepted Abraham’s faith, and that made him right with God.” Those words (“God accepted Abraham’s faith”) were written not only for Abraham.  They were written also for us. God will accept us also because we believe. We believe in the One who raised Jesus our Lord from death.

The Lord says, “Listen to me, those of you who try to live right and follow the Lord. Look at the rock from which you were cut. Look at the stone quarry from which you were dug. Look at Abraham, your ancestor. Look at Sarah, who gave birth to your ancestors. Abraham had no children when I called him. But I blessed him and gave him many descendants. So the Lord will comfort Jerusalem. He will show mercy to those who live in her ruins. He will change her deserts into a garden like Eden. e will make her empty lands like the garden of the Lord. People there will be very happy. They will give thanks and sing songs. My people, listen to me. My nation, pay attention to me. I will give the people my teachings. And my decisions will be like a light to all people.

Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by God All-Powerful. I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God, and I trust you.” God will save you from hidden traps and from deadly diseases. He will protect you like a bird spreading its wings over its young. His truth will be like your armor and shield. You will not fear any danger by night or an arrow during the day. You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark or sickness that strikes at noon. At your side 1,000 people may die, or even 10,000 right beside you. But you will not be hurt. You will only watch what happens. You will see the wicked punished. The Lord is your protection. You have made God Most High your place of safety. Nothing bad will happen to you. No disaster will come to your home. He has put his angels in charge of you. They will watch over you wherever you go. They will catch you with their hands. And you will not hit your foot on a rock. You will walk on lions and cobras. You will step on strong lions and snakes. The Lord says, “If someone loves me, I will save him. I will protect those who know me. They will call to me, and I will answer them. I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will give them a long, full life. They will see how I can save.”