⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;^{(A) 6} and to knowledge, self-control;^(B) and to self-control, perseverance;^(C) and to perseverance, godliness;^{(D) 7} and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.^{(E) 8} For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive^(F) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(G) 9} But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind,^(H) forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.^(I)

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters,^[a] make every effort to confirm your calling^(J) and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,^{(K) 11} and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom^(L) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.^(M)

²⁸ He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God^(A) and obey it.”^(B)

The Wise and Foolish Builders^(A)

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice^(B) is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”