⁶ You see, at just the right time,^(A) when we were still powerless,^(B) Christ died for the ungodly.^{(C) 7} Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.^(D)

⁹ Since we have now been justified^(E) by his blood,^(F) how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath^(G) through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies,^(H) we were reconciled^(I) to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!^{(J) 11} Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.^(K)

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,^(L) and death through sin,^(M) and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned^(N)—

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run^(A) with perseverance^(B) the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus,^(C) the pioneer^(D) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,^(E) scorning its shame,^(F) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.^{(G) 3} Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary^(H) and lose heart.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(A) and in his mighty power.^{(B) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(C) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(D) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(E) against the powers^(F) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(G) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(H) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(I) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(J) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(K) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(L) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(M) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(N) and the sword of the Spirit,^(O) which is the word of God.^(P)

² then make my joy complete^(A) by being like-minded,^(B) having the same love, being one^(C) in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.^(D) Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,^{(E) 4} not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.^(F)

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:^(G)

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,^(T)

¹¹ being strengthened with all power^(A) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,^{(B) 12} and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(C) who has qualified you^[a] to share in the inheritance^(D) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^{(E) 13} For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(F) and brought us into the kingdom^(G) of the Son he loves,^{(H) 14} in whom we have redemption,^(I) the forgiveness of sins.^(J)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image^(K) of the invisible God,^(L) the firstborn^(M) over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created:^(N) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(O) all things have been created through him and for him.^{(P) 17} He is before all things,^(Q) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head^(R) of the body, the church;^(S) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(T) from among the dead,^(U) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(V) to have all his fullness^(W) dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(X) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(Y) by making peace^(Z) through his blood,^(AA) shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(AB) in your minds^(AC) because of^[b] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(AD) you by Christ’s physical body^(AE) through death to present you^(AF) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(AG)— ²³ if you continue^(AH) in your faith, established^(AI) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(AJ) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(AK) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(AL)

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying^(A) that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners^(B)—of whom I am the worst.

²⁸ This is my blood of the^[a] covenant,^(A) which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.^(B)

³³ They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).^{(A) 34} There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall;^(B) but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. ³⁵ When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.^{(C) 36} And sitting down, they kept watch^(D) over him there. ³⁷ Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

³⁸ Two rebels were crucified with him,^(E) one on his right and one on his left. ³⁹ Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads^{(F) 40} and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,^(G) save yourself!^(H) Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”^{(I) 41} In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ⁴² “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel!^(J) Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe^(K) in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God. Let God rescue him^(L) now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ⁴⁴ In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus^(M)

⁴⁵ From noon until three in the afternoon darkness^(N) came over all the land. ⁴⁶ About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,^[a] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).^[b](O)

⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar,^(P) put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.^(Q)

⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple^(R) was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split^{(S) 52} and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and^[c] went into the holy city^(T) and appeared to many people.

⁵⁴ When the centurion and those with him who were guarding^(U) Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”^(V)

⁵⁵ Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.^{(W) 56} Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,^[d] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.^(X)

²² They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). ²³ Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh,^(A) but he did not take it. ²⁴ And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots^(B) to see what each would get.

²⁵ It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. ²⁶ The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.^(C)

²⁷ They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. ^{[28] [a] 29} Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads^(D) and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,^{(E) 30} come down from the cross and save yourself!” ³¹ In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him^(F) among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! ³² Let this Messiah,^(G) this king of Israel,^(H) come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.