⁷ So the word of God spread.^(A) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,^(B) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

²⁰ In this way the word of the Lord^(A) spread widely and grew in power.^(B)

²⁴ But the word of God^(A) continued to spread and flourish.^(B)

⁶ that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit^(A) and growing throughout the whole world^(B)—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

⁹ and, once made perfect,^(A) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

²⁶ but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings^(A) by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from^[a] faith^(B)—

⁵ Through him we received grace^(A) and apostleship to call all the Gentiles^(B) to the obedience that comes from^[a] faith^(C) for his name’s sake.

²² strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.^(A) “We must go through many hardships^(B) to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

⁸ By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,^(A) obeyed and went,^(B) even though he did not know where he was going.

⁹ for which I am suffering^(A) even to the point of being chained^(B) like a criminal. But God’s word^(C) is not chained.