The Lord Comforts Zion^(A)

^14 (A)Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, ^(B)without which no one will see the Lord:

^19 (A)Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which ^(B)one may ^[a]edify another.

Present Condition of Israel

³⁰ What shall we say then? ^(A)That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, ^(B)even the righteousness of faith; ³¹ but Israel, ^(C)pursuing the law of righteousness, ^(D)has not attained to the law ^[a]of righteousness. ³² Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, ^[b]by the works of the law. For ^(E)they stumbled at that stumbling stone.

God’s Ancient Plan to Redeem Israel

^22 (A)Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Brought Near by His Blood

¹¹ Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called ^(A)the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— ¹² that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.