10. God is fair. He will not forget what you have done. He will remember the love you have shown him. You showed it when you helped his people. And you show it when you keep on helping them.
11. We want each of you to be faithful to the very end. We want you to be sure of what you hope for.
12. We don't want you to slow down. Instead, be like those who have faith and are patient. They will receive what God promised.
13. When God made his promise to Abraham, he took an oath to keep it. But there was no one greater than himself to take an oath by. So he took his oath by making an appeal to himself.
14. He said, "I will certainly bless you. I will give you many children." (Genesis 22:17)
15. Abraham was patient while he waited. Then he received what God promised him.
16. People take oaths by someone greater than themselves. An oath makes a promise certain. It puts an end to all arguing.
17. So God took an oath when he made his promise. He wanted to make it very clear that his purpose does not change. He wanted those who would receive what was promised to know that.
18. God took an oath so we would have good reason not to give up. We have run away from everything else to take hold of the hope offered to us in God's promise. So God gave his promise and his oath. Those two things can't change. He couldn't lie about them.
19. Our hope is certain. It is something for the soul to hold on to. It is strong and secure. It goes all the way into the Most Holy Room behind the curtain.