¹⁸ He chose to give us birth^(A) through the word of truth,^(B) that we might be a kind of firstfruits^(C) of all he created.

¹⁰ “This is what the Lord says: ‘You say about this place, “It is a desolate waste, without people or animals.”^(A) Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted,^(B) inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more

¹¹ the sounds of joy and gladness,^(A) the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings^(B) to the house of the Lord, saying,

For I will restore the fortunes^(E) of the land as they were before,^(F)’ says the Lord.

¹⁵ Whoever has ears, let them hear.^(A)

¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed^(A) in his name,^(B) he gave the right to become children of God^(C)— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.^(D)

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.^[a]”^(A)

⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.^{(B) 6} Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^[b] gives birth to spirit.^{(C) 7} You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You^[c] must be born again.’

¹⁵ Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;^(A) what counts is the new creation.^(B)

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine,^(A) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^{(B) 19} speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(C) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks^(D) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ But when the kindness^(A) and love of God our Savior^(B) appeared,^{(C) 5} he saved us,^(D) not because of righteous things we had done,^(E) but because of his mercy.^(F) He saved us through the washing^(G) of rebirth and renewal^(H) by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us^(I) generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace,^(J) we might become heirs^(K) having the hope^(L) of eternal life.^(M)