¹⁸ The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”^(A)

¹⁹ Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals^(B) and all the birds in the sky.^(C) He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called^(D) each living creature,^(E) that was its name. ²⁰ So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

But for Adam^[a] no suitable helper^(F) was found. ²¹ So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep;^(G) and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs^[b] and then closed up the place with flesh. ²² Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib^[c](H) he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

²³ The man said,

²⁴ That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united^(L) to his wife, and they become one flesh.^(M)

²⁵ Adam and his wife were both naked,^(N) and they felt no shame.

¹³ Bear with each other^(A) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.^{(B) 14} And over all these virtues put on love,^(C) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(D)

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ^(E) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(F) you were called to peace.^(G) And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(H) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(I) through psalms,^(J) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^{(K) 17} And whatever you do,^(L) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(M) to God the Father through him.