²³ to the ^[a]general assembly and church of ^(A)the firstborn ^(B)who are registered in heaven, to God ^(C)the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men ^(D)made perfect,

²⁰ Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but ^[a]rather rejoice because ^(A)your names are written in heaven.”

^18 (A)Of His own will He brought us forth by the ^(B)word of truth, ^(C)that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

⁴⁰ God having provided something better for us, that they should not be ^(A)made perfect apart from us.

²² Then you shall ^(A)say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: ^(B)“Israel is My son, ^(C)My firstborn.

²⁵ Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so ^(A)that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! ^(B)Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life ^(A)was cast into the lake of fire.

¹⁰ For ^(A)God is not unjust to forget ^(B)your work and ^[a]labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ^(C)ministered to the saints, and do minister. ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence ^(D)to the full assurance of hope until the end, ¹² that you do not become ^[b]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience ^(E)inherit the promises.