²³ For you have been born again,^(A) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,^(B) through the living and enduring word of God.^(C)

Praise to God for a Living Hope

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!^(A) In his great mercy^(B) he has given us new birth^(C) into a living hope^(D) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,^(E)

¹² For the word of God^(A) is alive^(B) and active.^(C) Sharper than any double-edged sword,^(D) it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.^(E)

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

¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.^(A)

⁵³ For the perishable^(A) must clothe itself with the imperishable,^(B) and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^[a](C)

⁶³ The Spirit gives life;^(A) the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit^[a] and life.

¹⁸ We know that anyone born of God^(A) does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one^(B) cannot harm them.^(C)

⁹ No one who is born of God^(A) will continue to sin,^(B) because God’s seed^(C) remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.