By Grace Through Faith

2 ^(A)And you were ^(B)dead in the trespasses and sins ^2 (C)in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following ^(D)the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in ^(E)the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in ^(F)the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body^[a] and the mind, and ^(G)were by nature ^(H)children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.^[b]

³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. ^4 (A)For I am not aware of anything against myself, ^(B)but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

²² For we know that ^(A)the whole creation ^(B)has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

⁹ “‘I know your tribulation and ^(A)your poverty (^(B)but you are rich) and the slander^[a] of ^(C)those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. ¹⁰ Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, ^(D)that you may be tested, and for ^(E)ten days ^(F)you will have tribulation. ^(G)Be faithful ^(H)unto death, and I will give you ^(I)the crown of life.

^11 (A)Put on ^(B)the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against ^(C)the schemes of the devil. ¹² For ^(D)we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against ^(E)the rulers, against the authorities, against ^(F)the cosmic powers over ^(G)this present darkness, against ^(H)the spiritual forces of evil ^(I)in the heavenly places.

¹¹ Command and teach ^(A)these things.

^11 (A)Now the parable is this: The seed is ^(B)the word of God. ¹² The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not ^(C)believe and be saved. ¹³ And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it ^(D)with joy. But these have no root; they ^(E)believe for a while, and in time of testing ^(F)fall away. ¹⁴ And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but ^(G)as they go on their way they are choked by the ^(H)cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. ¹⁵ As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and ^(I)bear fruit ^(J)with patience.

⁸ And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded ^(A)a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, ^(B)“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

^8 (A)Be sober-minded; ^(B)be watchful. Your ^(C)adversary the devil ^(D)prowls around ^(E)like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 (F)Resist him, ^(G)firm in your faith, knowing that ^(H)the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰ And ^(I)after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, ^(J)who has called you to his ^(K)eternal glory in Christ, will himself ^(L)restore, ^(M)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ^11 (N)To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.