^{13 Ref} For when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he sware by himself,

^{14 Ref} saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

^{15 Ref} And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

^{16 Ref} For men swear by the greater: and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.

^{17 Ref} Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath;