⁷ In building the temple, only blocks dressed^(A) at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool^(B) was heard at the temple site while it was being built.

⁵ Build there an altar^(A) to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool^(B) on them. ⁶ Build the altar of the Lord your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God.

⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built^(A) into a spiritual house^[a](B) to be a holy priesthood,^(C) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^(D)

¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(A) who has qualified you^[a] to share in the inheritance^(B) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^(C)

⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.^(A)

²³ What if he did this to make the riches of his glory^(A) known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory^(B)—

³¹ Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria^(A) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.^(B)