²⁴ but let the one who boasts ^(A)boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who ^(B)exercises ^[a]mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I ^(C)delight in these things,” declares the Lord.

²⁶ For ^[a]consider your ^(A)calling, brothers and sisters, that there were ^(B)not many wise according to ^[b]the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; ²⁷ but ^(C)God has chosen the foolish things of ^(D)the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of ^(E)the world to shame the things which are strong, ²⁸ and the ^[c]insignificant things of ^(F)the world and the despised God has chosen, ^(G)the things that are not, so that He may ^(H)nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that ^(I)no ^[d]human may boast before God. ³⁰ But it is ^[e]due to Him that you are in ^(J)Christ Jesus, who became to us ^(K)wisdom from God, ^[f]and ^(L)righteousness and ^(M)sanctification, and ^(N)redemption, ³¹ so that, just as it is written: “^(O)Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

³¹ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or ^(A)whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.

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

¹³ Therefore, ^[a](A)prepare your minds for action, ^[b](B)keep sober in spirit, set your ^(C)hope completely on the ^(D)grace to be brought to you at ^(E)the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As ^[c](F)obedient children, do not ^[d](G)be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ^(H)ignorance, ¹⁵ but ^[e](I)like the Holy One who called you, ^[f](J)be holy yourselves also ^(K)in all your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written: “^(L)You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

¹⁷ If you ^(M)address as Father the One who ^(N)impartially ^(O)judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves ^(P)in fear during the time of your ^(Q)stay on earth; ¹⁸ knowing that you were not ^[g](R)redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your ^(S)futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with precious ^(T)blood, as of a ^(U)lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. ²⁰ For He was ^(V)foreknown before ^(W)the foundation of the world, but has ^(X)appeared ^[h]in these last times ^(Y)for the sake of you ²¹ who through Him are ^(Z)believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and ^(AA)gave Him glory, so that your faith and ^(AB)hope are in God.