Genesis 17:4-14

4‘As for me, this is my covenant that I have made with you. You will become the ancestor of many nations of people.

5Your name will not be Abram any more. Instead your name will be Abraham, because I will cause you to become the ancestor of many nations.

6I will give you many descendants. These will make many nations of people. Some of your descendants will become kings.

7My covenant with you is very strong. I am making it with you and with your descendants. It will continue for generation after generation of your descendants, for all time. I will be your God. I will also be the God of all your descendants.

8You are now living here in Canaan as a foreign person. But I will give all of this land to you and to your descendants. It will belong to them for ever. I will be their God.’

9God continued to speak to Abraham. He said, ‘As for you, you must agree to obey me. You must obey the rules of my covenant. You, and all your descendants after you must obey it.

10This is what you and all your descendants must do to obey my covenant: Every male person in your family must be circumcised.

11Your circumcision will show that you have agreed to my covenant with you.

12Every male child among you must be circumcised when he is eight days old. You must continue to do this for every generation. Do it for every male that lives with you, not just your own family. Circumcise servants that have been born in your house. Also circumcise foreign servants that you have bought with money.

13You must circumcise all the male servants who work for you in your house. Circumcision will be a mark in your bodies which shows that you accept my covenant. It will continue for all time.

14If any male person among you has not been circumcised, I will not accept him as one of my people. He must become separate from his people. He has not obeyed my covenant.’