¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.^{(A) 17} Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.^{(B) 18} By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.^(C)

Stand Firm

¹³ But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning^[a] God has chosen^(A) you for salvation through sanctification^(B) by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory^(C) of our Lord Jesus Christ.