⁹ for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned^(A) to God from idols^(B) to serve the living and true God,^{(C) 10} and to wait for his Son from heaven,^(D) whom he raised from the dead^(E)—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.^(F)

⁹ Since we have now been justified^(A) by his blood,^(B) how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath^(C) through him!

Life Through the Spirit

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation^(A) for those who are in Christ Jesus,^(B)

³ All of us also lived among them at one time,^(A) gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a](B) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us,^(C) God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions^(D)—it is by grace you have been saved.^(E)

Life Through the Spirit

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation^(A) for those who are in Christ Jesus,^(B)

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things?^(A) If God is for us,^(B) who can be against us?^{(C) 32} He who did not spare his own Son,^(D) but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge^(E) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns?^(F) No one. Christ Jesus who died^(G)—more than that, who was raised to life^(H)—is at the right hand of God^(I) and is also interceding for us.^{(J) 35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?^(K) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?^(L)

God Disciplines His Children

⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.^{(A) 5} And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.^(E) For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline^(F)—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits^(G) and live!^{(H) 10} They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.^{(I) 11} No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace^(J) for those who have been trained by it.

The Census

1 The Lord spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting^(A) in the Desert of Sinai^(B) on the first day of the second month^(C) of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt.^(D) He said: ² “Take a census^(E) of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families,^(F) listing every man by name,^(G) one by one.

² “Take a census^(A) of the whole Israelite community by families—all those twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army^(B) of Israel.”