¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, ^(A)who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and ^(B)good hope by grace,

^16 (A)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten ^(B)Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

^2 (A)through whom also we have access by faith into this grace ^(B)in which we stand, and ^(C)rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but ^(D)we also glory in tribulations, ^(E)knowing that tribulation produces ^[a]perseverance; ^4 (F)and perseverance, ^[b]character; and character, hope. ^5 (G)Now hope does not disappoint, ^(H)because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

A Heavenly Inheritance

^3 (A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who ^(B)according to His abundant mercy ^(C)has begotten us again to a living hope ^(D)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance ^[a]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, ^(E)reserved in heaven for you, ^5 (F)who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

^6 (G)In this you greatly rejoice, though now ^(H)for a little while, if need be, ^(I)you have been ^[b]grieved by various trials, ⁷ that ^(J)the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though ^(K)it is tested by fire, ^(L)may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ^8 (M)whom having not ^[c]seen you love. ^(N)Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

⁴ But when ^(A)the kindness and the love of ^(B)God our Savior toward man appeared, ^5 (C)not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through ^(D)the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ^6 (E)whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace ^(F)we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

² in hope of eternal life which God, who ^(A)cannot lie, promised before time began,

Prayer for the Church

¹¹ Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(A)direct our way to you.

²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but ^(A)hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

⁵ and from Jesus Christ, ^(A)the faithful ^(B)witness, the ^(C)firstborn from the dead, and ^(D)the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him ^(E)who ^[a]loved us ^(F)and washed us from our sins in His own blood,