The Covenant Confirmed

24 Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, (A)Nadab, and Abihu, and (B)seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. Moses (C)alone shall come near to the Lord, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.”

Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and (D)all the rules.[a] And all the people answered with one voice and said, (E)“All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And (F)Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve (G)pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. And (H)Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, (I)“All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” (J)And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and (K)seventy of the elders of Israel (L)went up, 10 and they (M)saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of (N)sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. 11 And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and (O)ate and drank.

12 The Lord said to Moses, (P)“Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the (Q)tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses rose with his assistant (R)Joshua, and Moses went up (S)into the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and (T)Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.”

15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and (U)the cloud covered the mountain. 16 (V)The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a (W)devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18 Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses (X)was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 24:3 Or all the just decrees

The Covenant Confirmed

24 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron,(A) Nadab and Abihu,(B) and seventy of the elders(C) of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, but Moses alone is to approach(D) the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.”

When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws,(E) they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.”(F) Moses then wrote(G) down everything the Lord had said.

He got up early the next morning and built an altar(H) at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars(I) representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings(J) and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings(K) to the Lord. Moses(L) took half of the blood(M) and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed(N) against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant(O) and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”(P)

Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people(Q) and said, “This is the blood of the covenant(R) that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders(S) of Israel went up 10 and saw(T) the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli,(U) as bright blue as the sky.(V) 11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw(W) God, and they ate and drank.(X)

12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone(Y) with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”

13 Then Moses set out with Joshua(Z) his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain(AA) of God. 14 He said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur(AB) are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute(AC) can go to them.”

15 When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud(AD) covered it, 16 and the glory(AE) of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai.(AF) For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud.(AG) 17 To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire(AH) on top of the mountain. 18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty(AI) days and forty nights.(AJ)

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Then Absalom said, “Call (A)Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say.” And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom said to him, “Thus has Ahithophel spoken; shall we do as he says? If not, you speak.” Then Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good.” Hushai said, “You know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged,[a] (B)like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Besides, your father is expert in war; he will not spend the night with the people. Behold, even now he has hidden himself in one of the pits or in some other place. And as soon as some of the people fall[b] at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the valiant man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly (C)melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that those who are with him are valiant men. 11 But my counsel is that all Israel be gathered to you, (D)from Dan to Beersheba, (E)as the sand by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person. 12 So we shall come upon him in some place where he is to be found, and we shall light upon him as the dew falls on the ground, and of him and all the men with him not one will be left. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we shall drag it into the valley, until not even a pebble is to be found there.” 14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” (F)For the Lord had ordained[c] to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom.

15 (G)Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so have I counseled. 16 Now therefore send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not stay tonight at (H)the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be (I)swallowed up.’” 17 Now (J)Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at (K)En-rogel. A female servant was to go and tell them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they were not to be seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So both of them went away quickly and came to the house of a man at (L)Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard. And they went down into it. 19 (M)And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth and scattered grain on it, and nothing was known of it. 20 When Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman said to them, “They have gone over the brook[d] of water.” And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

21 After they had gone, the men came up out of the well, and went and told King David. They said to David, (N)“Arise, and go quickly over the water, for thus and so has Ahithophel counseled against you.” 22 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they crossed the Jordan. By daybreak not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.

23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to (O)his own city. He (P)set his house in order and (Q)hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.

24 Then David came to (R)Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Now Absalom had set (S)Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite,[e] who had married Abigal the daughter of (T)Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. 26 And Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.

27 When David came to Mahanaim, (U)Shobi the son of Nahash from (V)Rabbah of the Ammonites, and (W)Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and (X)Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils,[f] 29 honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and (Y)weary and thirsty (Z)in the wilderness.”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 17:8 Hebrew bitter of soul
  2. 2 Samuel 17:9 Or And as he falls on them
  3. 2 Samuel 17:14 Hebrew commanded
  4. 2 Samuel 17:20 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
  5. 2 Samuel 17:25 Compare 1 Chronicles 2:17; Hebrew Israelite
  6. 2 Samuel 17:28 Hebrew adds and parched grain

But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai(A) the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”

Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs.(B) Besides, your father is an experienced fighter;(C) he will not spend the night with the troops. Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place.(D) If he should attack your troops first,[a] whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion,(E) will melt(F) with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.(G)

11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba(H)—as numerous as the sand(I) on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley(J) until not so much as a pebble is left.”

14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice(K) of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.”(L) For the Lord had determined to frustrate(M) the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster(N) on Absalom.(O)

15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness;(P) cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.(Q)’”

17 Jonathan(R) and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel.(S) A female servant was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim.(T) He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.(U)

20 When Absalom’s men came to the woman(V) at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”

The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook.”[b] The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem.

21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.” 22 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.

23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice(W) had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order(X) and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

Absalom’s Death

24 David went to Mahanaim,(Y) and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Absalom had appointed Amasa(Z) over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether,[c](AA) an Ishmaelite[d] who had married Abigail,[e] the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. 26 The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash(AB) from Rabbah(AC) of the Ammonites, and Makir(AD) son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai(AE) the Gileadite(AF) from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils,[f] 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat.(AG) For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.(AH)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 17:9 Or When some of the men fall at the first attack
  2. 2 Samuel 17:20 Or “They passed by the sheep pen toward the water.”
  3. 2 Samuel 17:25 Hebrew Ithra, a variant of Jether
  4. 2 Samuel 17:25 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 2:17); Hebrew and other Septuagint manuscripts Israelite
  5. 2 Samuel 17:25 Hebrew Abigal, a variant of Abigail
  6. 2 Samuel 17:28 Most Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac; Hebrew lentils, and roasted grain

The Lord Will Turn Mourning to Joy

31 (A)“At that time, declares the Lord, (B)I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.”

Thus says the Lord:
“The people who survived the sword
    found grace in the wilderness;
(C)when Israel sought for rest,
    the Lord appeared to him[a] from far away.
(D)I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    therefore (E)I have continued (F)my faithfulness to you.
(G)Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
    O virgin Israel!
(H)Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines
    and shall go forth in (I)the dance of the merrymakers.
(J)Again you shall plant vineyards
    on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant
    and shall enjoy the fruit.
For there shall be a day when watchmen will call
    in (K)the hill country of Ephraim:
(L)‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion,
    to the Lord our God.’”

For thus says the Lord:
(M)“Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
    and raise shouts for (N)the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
    (O)‘O Lord, save your people,
    the remnant of Israel.’
Behold, I will bring them (P)from the north country
    and (Q)gather them from (R)the farthest parts of the earth,
among them (S)the blind and the lame,
    the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together;
    a great company, they shall return here.
(T)With weeping they shall come,
    (U)and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back,
I will make them (V)walk by brooks of water,
    (W)in a straight path in which they shall not stumble,
for (X)I am a father to Israel,
    and Ephraim is (Y)my firstborn.

10 “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
    and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, ‘He who scattered Israel will (Z)gather him,
    and will keep him (AA)as a shepherd keeps his flock.’
11 (AB)For the Lord has ransomed Jacob
    and has redeemed him from (AC)hands too strong for him.
12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
    (AD)and they shall be radiant (AE)over the goodness of the Lord,
(AF)over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
    and over the young of the flock and the herd;
(AG)their life shall be like a watered garden,
    (AH)and they shall languish no more.
13 (AI)Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
    and the young men and the old shall be merry.
(AJ)I will turn their mourning into joy;
    I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 31:3 Septuagint; Hebrew me

31 “At that time,” declares the Lord, “I will be the God(A) of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”

This is what the Lord says:

“The people who survive the sword
    will find favor(B) in the wilderness;
    I will come to give rest(C) to Israel.”

The Lord appeared to us in the past,[a] saying:

“I have loved(D) you with an everlasting love;
    I have drawn(E) you with unfailing kindness.
I will build you up again,
    and you, Virgin(F) Israel, will be rebuilt.(G)
Again you will take up your timbrels(H)
    and go out to dance(I) with the joyful.(J)
Again you will plant(K) vineyards
    on the hills of Samaria;(L)
the farmers will plant them
    and enjoy their fruit.(M)
There will be a day when watchmen(N) cry out
    on the hills of Ephraim,
‘Come, let us go up to Zion,
    to the Lord our God.’”(O)

This is what the Lord says:

“Sing(P) with joy for Jacob;
    shout for the foremost(Q) of the nations.
Make your praises heard, and say,
    Lord, save(R) your people,
    the remnant(S) of Israel.’
See, I will bring them from the land of the north(T)
    and gather(U) them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind(V) and the lame,(W)
    expectant mothers and women in labor;
    a great throng will return.
They will come with weeping;(X)
    they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead(Y) them beside streams of water(Z)
    on a level(AA) path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father,(AB)
    and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

10 “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations;
    proclaim it in distant coastlands:(AC)
‘He who scattered(AD) Israel will gather(AE) them
    and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’(AF)
11 For the Lord will deliver Jacob
    and redeem(AG) them from the hand of those stronger(AH) than they.
12 They will come and shout for joy(AI) on the heights(AJ) of Zion;
    they will rejoice in the bounty(AK) of the Lord
the grain, the new wine and the olive oil,(AL)
    the young of the flocks(AM) and herds.
They will be like a well-watered garden,(AN)
    and they will sorrow(AO) no more.
13 Then young women will dance and be glad,
    young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning(AP) into gladness;
    I will give them comfort(AQ) and joy(AR) instead of sorrow.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 31:3 Or Lord has appeared to us from afar

Why Should I Fear in Times of Trouble?

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of (A)the Sons of Korah.

49 (B)Hear this, all peoples!
    Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
(C)both low and high,
    rich and poor together!
My mouth shall speak (D)wisdom;
    the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
I will incline my ear to (E)a proverb;
    I will solve my (F)riddle to the music of the lyre.

(G)Why should I fear in (H)times of trouble,
    when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
those who (I)trust in their wealth
    and boast of the abundance of their riches?
Truly no man (J)can ransom another,
    or (K)give to God (L)the price of his life,

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Psalm 49[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

Hear(A) this, all you peoples;(B)
    listen, all who live in this world,(C)
both low and high,(D)
    rich and poor alike:
My mouth will speak words of wisdom;(E)
    the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.(F)
I will turn my ear to a proverb;(G)
    with the harp(H) I will expound my riddle:(I)

Why should I fear(J) when evil days come,
    when wicked deceivers surround me—
those who trust in their wealth(K)
    and boast(L) of their great riches?(M)
No one can redeem the life of another
    or give to God a ransom for them—

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 49:1 In Hebrew texts 49:1-20 is numbered 49:2-21.

20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it (A)convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But (B)if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, (C)“‘If you can’! (D)All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out[a] and said, “I believe; (E)help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that (F)a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, (G)“You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and (H)convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus (I)took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had (J)entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 9:24 Some manuscripts add with tears
  2. Mark 9:29 Some manuscripts add and fasting

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.(A)

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”(B)

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene,(C) he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately,(D) “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 9:29 Some manuscripts prayer and fasting

Peace with God Through Faith

(A)Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, (B)we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also (C)obtained access by faith[b] into this grace (D)in which we stand, and (E)we[c] rejoice[d] in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we (F)rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering (G)produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and (H)hope does not put us to shame, because God's love (I)has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

For (J)while we were still weak, at the right time (K)Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but (L)God shows his love for us in that (M)while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, (N)we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from (O)the wrath of God. 10 For if (P)while we were enemies (Q)we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by (R)his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received (S)reconciliation.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
  2. Romans 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
  3. Romans 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
  4. Romans 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11

Peace and Hope

Therefore, since we have been justified(A) through faith,(B) we[a] have peace(C) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,(D) through whom we have gained access(E) by faith into this grace in which we now stand.(F) And we[b] boast in the hope(G) of the glory of God. Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings,(H) because we know that suffering produces perseverance;(I) perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope(J) does not put us to shame, because God’s love(K) has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,(L) who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time,(M) when we were still powerless,(N) Christ died for the ungodly.(O) Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.(P)

Since we have now been justified(Q) by his blood,(R) how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath(S) through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies,(T) we were reconciled(U) to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!(V) 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.(W)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 5:1 Many manuscripts let us
  2. Romans 5:2 Or let us
  3. Romans 5:3 Or let us