²³ to the church of the firstborn,^(A) whose names are written in heaven.^(B) You have come to God, the Judge of all,^(C) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,^(D)

¹⁸ He chose to give us birth^(A) through the word of truth,^(B) that we might be a kind of firstfruits^(C) of all he created.

²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”^(A)

⁴⁰ since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us^(A) would they be made perfect.^(B)

²⁷ Just as people are destined to die once,^(A) and after that to face judgment,^(B)

²² Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son,^(A)

²⁵ Far be it from you to do such a thing^(A)—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous^(B) and the wicked alike.^(C) Far be it from you! Will not the Judge^(D) of all the earth do right?”^(E)

¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life^(A) was thrown into the lake of fire.