First ReadingGenesis 15:1-12, 17-18
From the Book of Genesis
1After these things the Lord’s word came to Abram in a vision,saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram.I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
2Abram said, “Lord GOD,what will you give me,since I go childless,and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”3Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me:and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”
4Behold, the Lord’s word came to him,saying, “This man will not be your heir,but he who will come out of your own body will be your heir.”5The Lord brought him outside,and said, “Look now toward the sky,and count the stars,if you are able to count them.”He said to Abram, “So your offspring will be.”6He believed in the Lord,who credited it to him for righteousness.7He said to Abram, “I am the Lordwho brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees,to give you this land to inherit it.”
8He said, “Lord GOD,how will I know that I will inherit it?”
9He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old,a female goat three years old,a ram three years old,a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”10He brought him all these,and divided them in the middle,and laid each half opposite the other;but he didn’t divide the birds.11The birds of prey came down on the carcasses,and Abram drove them away.
12When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram.Now terror and great darkness fell on him. verses 13–16 are not read17It came to pass that,when the sun went down,and it was dark, behold,a smoking furnaceand a flaming torch passed between these pieces.18In that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram,saying, “I have given this land to your offspring,from the river of Egypt to the great river,the river Euphrates: