Psalm 18^[a](A)

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(A) were far away have been brought near^(B) by the blood of Christ.^(C)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(D) who has made the two groups one^(E) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(F) the law with its commands and regulations.^(G) His purpose was to create in himself one^(H) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(I) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(J) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(K) 18} For through him we both have access^(L) to the Father^(M) by one Spirit.^(N)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(O) but fellow citizens^(P) with God’s people and also members of his household,^{(Q) 20} built^(R) on the foundation^(S) of the apostles and prophets,^(T) with Christ Jesus himself^(U) as the chief cornerstone.^{(V) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(W) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(X)

¹³ Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,^[a] if the world hates you.^{(A) 14} We know that we have passed from death to life,^(B) because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.^{(C) 15} Anyone who hates a brother or sister^(D) is a murderer,^(E) and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.^(F)

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.^(G) And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.^{(H) 17} If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,^(I) how can the love of God be in that person?^{(J) 18} Dear children,^(K) let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.^(L)