⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him^(A) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.^(B)

⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.^(A)

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel,^(A) because it is the power of God^(B) that brings salvation to everyone who believes:^(C) first to the Jew,^(D) then to the Gentile.^{(E) 17} For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed^(F)—a righteousness that is by faith^(G) from first to last,^[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”^[b](H)

¹⁶ If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits^(A) is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,^(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples^(A) of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;^{(B) 20} you were bought at a price.^(C) Therefore honor God with your bodies.^(D)

²¹ In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(A) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(B)