¹⁸ In the exercise of ^(A)His will He ^(B)gave us birth by ^(C)the word of truth, so that we would be ^[a]a kind of ^(D)first fruits ^[b]among His creatures.

³ And they *sang ^[a](A)a new song before the throne and before the ^(B)four living creatures and the ^(C)elders; and ^(D)no one was able to learn the song except the ^(E)144,000 who had been ^(F)purchased from the earth. ^4 (G)These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are celibate. These are the ones who ^(H)follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been ^(I)purchased from mankind ^(J)as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. ⁵ And ^(K)no lie was found in their mouths; they are ^(L)blameless.