⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You^[a] must be born again.’

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.^[a]”^(A)

²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off^(A) your old self,^(B) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(C) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(D) 24} and to put on^(E) the new self,^(F) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(G)

²⁷ Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful,^(A) but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.^(B)

²² Now that you have purified^(A) yourselves by obeying^(B) the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply,^(C) from the heart.^[a]

Warning and Encouragement

¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone^(A) and to be holy;^(B) without holiness no one will see the Lord.^(C)

¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(A) who has qualified you^[a] to share in the inheritance^(B) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^(C)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,^(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform^(C) to the pattern of this world,^(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.^(E) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is^(F)—his good, pleasing^(G) and perfect will.

²⁸ “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming^(A) when all who are in their graves will hear his voice