⁴⁸ But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

¹⁵ But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. ¹⁶ For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”^[a]

⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

² “Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

³⁶ You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

¹³ But you must be blameless before the Lord your God.

Living in the Light

5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ² Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us^[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

²⁸ So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect^[a] in their relationship to Christ.

³ And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

7 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.