⁶ “‘I passed by you and saw you thrashing around in your blood, and I said to you as you lay in your blood, “Live!” Yes, I said to you as you lay in your blood, “Live!” ^{[a] 7} I made you thrive^[b] like plants of the field.^(A) You grew up and matured and became very beautiful.^[c] Your breasts were formed and your hair grew, but you were stark naked.

⁸ “‘Then I passed by you and saw you, and you were indeed at the age for love. So I spread the edge of my garment over you and covered your nakedness.^(B) I pledged myself to you,^(C) entered into a covenant with you—this is the declaration of the Lord God—and you became mine.^{(D) 9} I washed you with water, rinsed off your blood, and anointed you with oil. ¹⁰ I clothed you in embroidered cloth and provided you with fine leather^[d] sandals. I also wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. ¹¹ I adorned you with jewelry, putting bracelets on your wrists and a necklace around your neck. ¹² I put a ring in your nose,^(E) earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. ¹³ So you were adorned with gold and silver,^(F) and your clothing was made of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You became extremely beautiful and attained royalty. ¹⁴ Your fame spread among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through my splendor,^(G) which I had bestowed on you. This is the declaration of the Lord God.

²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(A) who raised him from the dead^(B) and gave him glory,^(C) so that your faith and hope are in God.

²² Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth,^[a] so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other,^(D) from a pure^[b] heart love one another constantly,^{[c](E) 23} because you have been born again^(F)—not of perishable seed^(G) but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.^{(H) 24} For

And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.

End-Time Ethics

⁷ The end of all things is near;^(A) therefore, be alert and sober-minded^(B) for prayer. ⁸ Above all, maintain constant love^(C) for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.^[a](D)