²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, ^(A)now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but ^(B)as an appeal to God for a good conscience, ^(C)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

^16 (A)Whoever believes and is ^(B)baptized ^(C)will be saved, but ^(D)whoever ^(E)does not believe will be condemned.

²⁷ For as many of you as ^(A)were baptized ^(B)into Christ have ^(C)put on Christ.

³⁸ And Peter said to them, ^(A)“Repent and ^(B)be baptized every one of you ^(C)in the name of Jesus Christ ^(D)for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive ^(E)the gift of the Holy Spirit.

^25 (A)I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from ^(B)all your uncleannesses, and ^(C)from all your idols ^(D)I will cleanse you. ²⁶ And I will give you ^(E)a new heart, and ^(F)a new spirit I will put within you. ^(G)And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

¹⁶ And now why do you wait? ^(A)Rise and be baptized and ^(B)wash away your sins, ^(C)calling on his name.’

Born Again to a Living Hope

^3 (A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! ^(B)According to his great mercy, ^(C)he has caused us to be born again to a living hope ^(D)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁹ because, if ^(A)you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and ^(B)believe in your heart ^(C)that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

²⁶ that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by ^(A)the washing of water ^(B)with the word,