becauseAbrahamobeyedMe and keptMy charge,My commandments,My statutesand My laws."
So Abramwentforth as the LORDhad spokento him; and Lotwentwith him. Now Abramwas seventy-fiveyearsoldwhen he departedfrom Haran.
Then AbrahamtookIshmaelhis son,and all[the servants] whowere bornin his houseand allwhowere boughtwith his money,everymaleamong the menof Abraham'shousehold,and circumcisedthe fleshof their foreskinin the verysameday,as Godhad saidto him.
"For I have chosenhim, sothat he may commandhis childrenand his householdafterhim to keepthe wayof the LORDby doingrighteousnessand justice,sothat the LORDmay bringupon AbrahamwhatHe has spokenabouthim."
and said,"By Myself I have sworn,declaresthe LORD,becauseyou have donethisthingand have not withheldyour son,your onlyson,
"In your seedallthe nationsof the earthshall be blessed,becauseyou have obeyedMy voice."
So Isaaclivedin Gerar.
"Whoeverthenannulsoneof the leastof thesecommandments,and teachesothers[to do] the same,shall be calledleastin the kingdomof heaven;but whoeverkeepsand teaches[them], he shall be calledgreatin the kingdomof heaven.
"Thereforeeveryonewhohearsthesewordsof Mineand actson them, may be comparedto a wisemanwhobuilthis houseon the rock.
Therefore,my belovedbrethren,be steadfast,immovable,alwaysaboundingin the workof the Lord,knowingthat your toilis not [in] vainin the Lord.
For in ChristJesusneithercircumcisionnoruncircumcisionmeansanything,but faithworkingthroughlove.
By faithAbraham,when he was called,obeyedby goingout to a placewhichhe was to receivefor an inheritance;and he wentout, not knowingwherehe was going.
Was not Abrahamour fatherjustifiedby workswhen he offeredup Isaachis sonon the altar?
