^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.

²⁹ For whom ^(A)He foreknew, ^(B)He also predestined ^(C)to be conformed to the image of His Son, ^(D)that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also ^(E)called; whom He called, these He also ^(F)justified; and whom He justified, these He also ^(G)glorified.

God’s Everlasting Love

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? ^(H)If God is for us, who can be against us?

³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, ^(A)unless one is born ^[a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, ^(B)unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

^23 (A)having been born again, not of ^[a]corruptible seed but ^[b]incorruptible, ^(B)through the word of God which lives and abides ^[c]forever,

^13 (A)who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

A Heavenly Inheritance

^3 (A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who ^(B)according to His abundant mercy ^(C)has begotten us again to a living hope ^(D)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ These are the ones who were not defiled with women, ^(A)for they are virgins. These are the ones ^(B)who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These ^(C)were ^[a]redeemed from among men, ^(D)being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

Stand Fast

¹³ But we are ^[a]bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God ^(A)from the beginning ^(B)chose you for salvation ^(C)through ^[b]sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, ¹⁴ to which He called you by our gospel, for ^(D)the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ But God, ^(A)who is rich in mercy, because of His ^(B)great love with which He loved us, ^5 (C)even when we were dead in trespasses, ^(D)made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),