¹⁷ For if, by the trespass of the one man, death^(A) reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life^(B) through the one man, Jesus Christ!

¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God^(A) to be revealed.

²⁴ Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom^(A) to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.^{(B) 25} For he must reign^(C) until he has put all his enemies under his feet.^{(D) 26} The last enemy to be destroyed is death.^{(E) 27} For he “has put everything under his feet.”^[a](F) Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.^{(G) 28} When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him,^(H) so that God may be all in all.^(I)

¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(A) and brought us into the kingdom^(B) of the Son he loves,^(C)

¹⁰ For he was looking forward to the city^(A) with foundations,^(B) whose architect and builder is God.^(C)

¹⁶ Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.^(A) Therefore God is not ashamed^(B) to be called their God,^(C) for he has prepared a city^(D) for them.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,^(A) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,^(B)

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone^(A)—rejected by humans but chosen by God^(B) and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built^(C) into a spiritual house^[a](D) to be a holy priesthood,^(E) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^{(F) 6} For in Scripture it says:

⁷ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,^(I)

⁸ and,

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.^(M)

⁹ But you are a chosen people,^(N) a royal priesthood,^(O) a holy nation,^(P) God’s special possession,^(Q) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^{(R) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;^(S) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

¹³ But rejoice^(A) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,^(B) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.^(C)