Salvation for Others

56 This is what the Lord says:

The Day Is Near

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come^(A) for you to wake up from your slumber,^(B) because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.^(C) So let us put aside the deeds of darkness^(D) and put on the armor^(E) of light. ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness,^(F) not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.^{(G) 14} Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,^(H) and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.^[a](I)

¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed^(A)—a righteousness that is by faith^(B) from first to last,^[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”^[b](C)

² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven^(A) has come near.”

⁶ But the righteousness that is by faith^(A) says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”^[a](B) (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”^[b](C) (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).^{(D) 8} But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”^[c](E) that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: ⁹ If you declare^(F) with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”^(G) and believe^(H) in your heart that God raised him from the dead,^(I) you will be saved.^{(J) 10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.