¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(A) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(B) through psalms,^(C) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^(D)

²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

¹³ And you also were included in Christ^(A) when you heard the message of truth,^(B) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,^(C) the promised Holy Spirit,^(D)

⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”^[a](A) that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:

¹⁷ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,^(A) and the message is heard through the word about Christ.^(B)

¹² It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven^(A) to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”^{(B) 13} Nor is it beyond the sea,^(C) so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”^{(D) 14} No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.^(E)

The Incarnation of the Word of Life

1 That which was from the beginning,^(A) which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,^(B) which we have looked at and our hands have touched^(C)—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.