¹³ for it is God who works in you^(A) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.^(B)

²¹ equip you with everything good for doing his will,^(A) and may he work in us^(B) what is pleasing to him,^(C) through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(D)

⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves^(A) to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.^(B)

⁹ He has saved^(A) us and called^(B) us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done^(C) but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.^(A)

¹⁰ But by the grace^(A) of God I am what I am, and his grace to me^(B) was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them^(C)—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.^(D)

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived,^(A) my dear brothers and sisters.^{(B) 17} Every good and perfect gift is from above,^(C) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,^(D) who does not change^(E) like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth^(F) through the word of truth,^(G) that we might be a kind of firstfruits^(H) of all he created.

²⁷ To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.

¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[a] having been predestined^(A) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose^(B) of his will,