When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the Almighty God. Obey me and always do what is right.

May Almighty God bless your marriage and give you many children, so that you will become the father of many nations!

And God said to him, "I am Almighty God. Have many children. Nations will be descended from you, and you will be the ancestor of kings.

Jacob said to Joseph, "Almighty God appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me.

God said, "I am who I am. You must tell them: 'The one who is called I AM has sent me to you.'

The LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "This is the country that I am going to give to your descendants." Then Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

After that, he moved on south to the hill country east of the city of Bethel and set up his camp between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There also he built an altar and worshiped the LORD.

So Abram moved his camp and settled near the sacred trees of Mamre at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.

Abraham named that place "The LORD Provides." And even today people say, "On the LORD's mountain he provides."

Sing to God, sing praises to his name; prepare a way for him who rides on the clouds. His name is the LORD ---be glad in his presence!

May they know that you alone are the LORD, supreme ruler over all the earth.

"I alone am the LORD your God. No other god may share my glory; I will not let idols share my praise.

The LORD, who rules and protects Israel, the LORD Almighty, has this to say: "I am the first, the last, the only God; there is no other god but me.

And now in Babylonia the same thing has happened: you are captives, and nothing was paid for you. Those who rule over you boast and brag and constantly show contempt for me.

In time to come you will acknowledge that I am God and that I have spoken to you."

"I am telling you the truth," Jesus replied. "Before Abraham was born, 'I Am'."

From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace be yours from God, who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits in front of his throne,