The Wise and Foolish Builders^(A)

⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’^(B) and do not do what I say?^{(C) 47} As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice,^(D) I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

⁴ For he chose us^(A) in him before the creation of the world^(B) to be holy and blameless^(C) in his sight. In love^{(D) 5} he^[a] predestined^(E) us for adoption to sonship^[b](F) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure^(G) and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace,^(H) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.^{(I) 7} In him we have redemption^(J) through his blood,^(K) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches^(L) of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,