³⁸ “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.^(A)

⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name^(A) to all nations,^(B) beginning at Jerusalem.^(C)

¹⁸ All this is from God,^(A) who reconciled us to himself through Christ^(B) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.^(C) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,^(D) as though God were making his appeal through us.^(E) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.^{(F) 21} God made him who had no sin^(G) to be sin^[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.^(H)

Reasons for Writing

³¹ God exalted him to his own right hand^(A) as Prince and Savior^(B) that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.^(C)

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,^(A) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.^(B) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^(C)

2 My dear children,^(A) I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate^(B) with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,^(C) and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.^(D)

⁴ It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats^(A) to take away sins.^(B)

⁵ Therefore, when Christ came into the world,^(C) he said:

⁸ First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”^(G)—though they were offered in accordance with the law. ⁹ Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.”^(H) He sets aside the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will, we have been made holy^(I) through the sacrifice of the body^(J) of Jesus Christ once for all.^(K)

¹¹ Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices,^(L) which can never take away sins.^{(M) 12} But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins,^(N) he sat down at the right hand of God,^{(O) 13} and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.^{(P) 14} For by one sacrifice he has made perfect^(Q) forever those who are being made holy.^(R)

¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies^(S) to us about this. First he says:

¹⁷ Then he adds:

¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

²² In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood,^(A) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.^(B)