Stand Firm

¹³ But we ought always to thank God for you,^(A) brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits^[a](B) to be saved^(C) through the sanctifying work of the Spirit^(D) and through belief in the truth.

⁹ He has saved^(A) us and called^(B) us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done^(C) but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

⁹ For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath^(A) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.^(B)

⁴ For he chose us^(A) in him before the creation of the world^(B) to be holy and blameless^(C) in his sight. In love^{(D) 5} he^[a] predestined^(E) us for adoption to sonship^[b](F) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure^(G) and will—

⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters^[a] loved by God,^(A) that he has chosen you,

¹¹ Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad^(A)—in order that God’s purpose^(B) in election might stand:

⁴⁸ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord;^(A) and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

² who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge^(A) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,^(B) to be obedient^(C) to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:^(D)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.^(E)

Praise to God for a Living Hope

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!^(F) In his great mercy^(G) he has given us new birth^(H) into a living hope^(I) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,^{(J) 4} and into an inheritance^(K) that can never perish, spoil or fade.^(L) This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,^{(M) 5} who through faith are shielded by God’s power^(N) until the coming of the salvation^(O) that is ready to be revealed^(P) in the last time.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We ought always to thank God for you,^(A) brothers and sisters,^[a] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.^(B)