⁹ This is what the Sovereign Lord says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh is to enter my sanctuary, not even the foreigners who live among the Israelites.^(A)

Blessings for God’s People

²¹ Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy^(A) to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day^(B) there will no longer be a Canaanite^[a](C) in the house^(D) of the Lord Almighty.^(E)

⁷ In addition to all your other detestable practices, you brought foreigners uncircumcised in heart^(A) and flesh into my sanctuary, desecrating my temple while you offered me food, fat and blood, and you broke my covenant.^(B)

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.^[a]”^(A)

⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.^(B)

¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.^(A)

Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good^(A)

⁵ The reason I left you in Crete^(B) was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint^[a] elders^(C) in every town, as I directed you. ⁶ An elder must be blameless,^(D) faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe^[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. ⁷ Since an overseer^(E) manages God’s household,^(F) he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.^{(G) 8} Rather, he must be hospitable,^(H) one who loves what is good,^(I) who is self-controlled,^(J) upright, holy and disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firmly^(K) to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine^(L) and refute those who oppose it.

¹⁶ But to the wicked person, God says: