Stand Firm

¹³ But ^(A)we ought always to give thanks to God for you, ^(B)brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you ^(C)as the firstfruits^{[a] (D)}to be saved, ^(E)through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

^9 (A)who saved us and ^(B)called us to^[a] a holy calling, ^(C)not because of our works but because of ^(D)his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus ^(E)before the ages began,^[b]

⁹ For God has not destined us for ^(A)wrath, but ^(B)to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

^4 (A)even as he ^(B)chose us in him ^(C)before the foundation of the world, that we should be ^(D)holy and blameless before him. In love ^5 (E)he predestined us^[a] for ^(F)adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, ^(G)according to the purpose of his will,

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

¹¹ though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of ^(A)him who calls—

⁴⁸ And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and ^(A)glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

² according to ^(A)the foreknowledge of God the Father, ^(B)in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and ^(C)for sprinkling with his blood:

May ^(D)grace and ^(E)peace be multiplied to you.

Born Again to a Living Hope

^3 (F)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! ^(G)According to his great mercy, ^(H)he has caused us to be born again to a living hope ^(I)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to ^(J)an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and ^(K)unfading, ^(L)kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God's power are being guarded ^(M)through faith for a salvation ^(N)ready to be revealed in the last time.

Thanksgiving

^3 (A)We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers,^[a] as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.