¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church^(A) of the living God,^(B) the pillar and foundation of the truth.

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)

²¹ In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(A) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(B)

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)

¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter,^[a](A) and on this rock I will build my church,^(B) and the gates of Hades^[b] will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys^(C) of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be^[c] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^[d] loosed in heaven.”^(D)

¹³ Then you will have success^(A) if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws^(B) that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous.^(C) Do not be afraid or discouraged.

⁴ and that the Lord may keep his promise^(A) to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully^(B) before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’

⁹ James,^(A) Cephas^[a](B) and John, those esteemed as pillars,^(C) gave me and Barnabas^(D) the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.^(E) They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,^(F) and they to the circumcised.

² Much in every way!^(A) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.^(B)