Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,^{(A) 2} in which you used to live^(B) when you followed the ways of this world^(C) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,^(D) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.^{(E) 3} All of us also lived among them at one time,^(F) gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a](G) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us,^(H) God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions^(I)—it is by grace you have been saved.^{(J) 6} And God raised us up with Christ^(K) and seated us with him^(L) in the heavenly realms^(M) in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,^(N) expressed in his kindness^(O) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace^(P) you have been saved,^(Q) through faith^(R)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works,^(S) so that no one can boast.^{(T) 10} For we are God’s handiwork,^(U) created^(V) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(W) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly^(X) you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)^(Y)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners^(Z) to the covenants of the promise,^(AA) without hope^(AB) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(AC) were far away have been brought near^(AD) by the blood of Christ.^(AE)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(AF) who has made the two groups one^(AG) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(AH) the law with its commands and regulations.^(AI) His purpose was to create in himself one^(AJ) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(AK) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(AL) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(AM) 18} For through him we both have access^(AN) to the Father^(AO) by one Spirit.^(AP)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(AQ) but fellow citizens^(AR) with God’s people and also members of his household,^{(AS) 20} built^(AT) on the foundation^(AU) of the apostles and prophets,^(AV) with Christ Jesus himself^(AW) as the chief cornerstone.^{(AX) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(AY) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(AZ)

A Call to Persevere in Faith

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence^(A) to enter the Most Holy Place^(B) by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way^(C) opened for us through the curtain,^(D) that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest^(E) over the house of God,^{(F) 22} let us draw near to God^(G) with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,^(H) having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience^(I) and having our bodies washed with pure water.^{(J) 23} Let us hold unswervingly to the hope^(K) we profess,^(L) for he who promised is faithful.^{(M) 24} And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,^{(N) 25} not giving up meeting together,^(O) as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another^(P)—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.^(Q)

²⁶ If we deliberately keep on sinning^(R) after we have received the knowledge of the truth,^(S) no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷ but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire^(T) that will consume the enemies of God. ²⁸ Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.^{(U) 29} How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God^(V) underfoot,^(W) who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant^(X) that sanctified them,^(Y) and who has insulted the Spirit^(Z) of grace?^{(AA) 30} For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[a](AB) and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”^{[b](AC) 31} It is a dreadful thing^(AD) to fall into the hands^(AE) of the living God.^(AF)

³² Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,^(AG) when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.^{(AH) 33} Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;^(AI) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.^{(AJ) 34} You suffered along with those in prison^(AK) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.^{(AL) 35} So do not throw away your confidence;^(AM) it will be richly rewarded.

³⁶ You need to persevere^(AN) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.^{(AO) 37} For,

³⁸ And,

³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.