²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.^(A)

⁶ whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk in the same way as he walked.^(A)

The Cross and Self-Denial

²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.^(A)

¹⁵ For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.^(A)

² and walk in love, as Christ loved us^[a] and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(A)

¹⁶ We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters.^(A)

²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,^[a] so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds^[b] you have been healed.^(A)

11 ¹ Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.^(A)

⁵ Let the same mind be in you that was^[a] in Christ Jesus,^(A)

²² There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”^(A)