16 “Go, and you must say to Eʹbed-melʹech+ the E·thi·oʹpi·an, ‘This is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, has said: “Here I am bringing true my words upon this city for calamity and not for good,+ and they will certainly happen before you in that day.”’+

17 In this manner God, when he purposed to demonstrate more abundantly to the heirs+ of the promise the unchangeableness+ of his counsel, stepped in* with an oath,

18 Because he willed+ it, he brought us forth by the word of truth,+ for us to be certain firstfruits+ of his creatures.