Then Jacob made a vow to the LORD: "If you will be with me and protect me on the journey I am making and give me food and clothing,

God said to Jacob, "Go to Bethel at once, and live there. Build an altar there to me, the God who appeared to you when you were running away from your brother Esau."

We are going to leave here and go to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who helped me in the time of my trouble and who has been with me everywhere I have gone."

When a man makes a vow to give something to the LORD or takes an oath to abstain from something, he must not break his promise, but must do everything that he said he would.

"When you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not put off doing what you promised; the LORD will hold you to your vow, and it is a sin not to keep it.

but if you make one voluntarily, be sure that you keep it.

Let the giving of thanks be your sacrifice to God, and give the Almighty all that you promised.

Give the LORD your God what you promised him; bring gifts to him, all you nearby nations. God makes everyone fear him;

I will keep my solemn promise to obey your just instructions.

The LORD will reveal himself to the Egyptian people, and then they will acknowledge and worship him, and bring him sacrifices and offerings. They will make solemn promises to him and do what they promise.

"You have also heard that people were told in the past, 'Do not break your promise, but do what you have vowed to the Lord to do.'

His pleasure is not in strong horses, nor his delight in brave soldiers;

but he takes pleasure in those who honor him, in those who trust in his constant love.

The LORD Almighty says, "I wish one of you would close the Temple doors so as to prevent you from lighting useless fires on my altar. I am not pleased with you; I will not accept the offerings you bring me.

You are not pleased with animals burned whole on the altar or with sacrifices to take away sins.

I will bring burnt offerings to your house; I will offer you what I promised.

I will give you what I said I would when I was in trouble.

In the assembly of all his people I will give him what I have promised.

I am your servant, LORD; I serve you just as my mother did. You have saved me from death.

In the assembly of all your people, in the sanctuary of your Temple in Jerusalem, I will give you what I have promised. Praise the LORD!

But I will sing praises to you; I will offer you a sacrifice and do what I have promised. Salvation comes from the LORD!"