28 We know that all things work together[a] for the good[b] of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.(A) 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined(B) to be conformed to the image of his Son,(C) so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.(D) 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified;(E) and those he justified, he also glorified.(F)

The Believer’s Triumph

31 What, then, are we to say about these things?(G) If God is for us, who is against us?(H) 32 He did not even spare his own Son(I) but gave him up for us all.(J) How will he not also with him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect?(K) God is the one who justifies.(L) 34 Who is the one who condemns?(M) Christ Jesus is the one who died,(N) but even more, has been raised;(O) he also is at the right hand of God(P) and intercedes for us.(Q) 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction(R) or distress or persecution(S) or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

Because of you
we are being put to death all day long;(T)
we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.[c](U)

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors(V) through him who loved us.(W) 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,(X) nor angels nor rulers,(Y) nor things present nor things to come,(Z) nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God(AA) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(AB)

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Footnotes

  1. 8:28 Other mss read that God works together in all things
  2. 8:28 The ultimate good
  3. 8:36 Ps 44:22

From Death to Life

And you were dead(A) in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,(B) according to the ruler of the power of the air,(C) the spirit(D) now working in the disobedient.[a] We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly(E) desires, carrying out the inclinations(F) of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath(G) as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy,(H) because of his great love(I) that he had for us,[b] made us alive(J) with Christ even though we were dead(K) in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,(L) so that in the coming ages(M) he might display the immeasurable riches(N) of his grace through his kindness(O) to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace(P) through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created(Q) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time(R) for us to do.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:2 Lit sons of disobedience
  2. 2:4 Lit love with which he loved us

Thanksgiving and Prayer

I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,[a] always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day(A) until now.(B) I am sure of this, that he who started a good work(C) in you[b] will carry it on to completion(D) until the day of Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is right(E) for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,[c] and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment(F) and in the defense(G) and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness,(H) how deeply I miss all of you(I) with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love(J) will keep on growing(K) in knowledge and every kind of discernment,(L) 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior(M) and may be pure(N) and blameless(O) in the day of Christ,(P) 11 filled with the fruit(Q) of righteousness(R) that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory(S) and praise of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:3 Or for your every remembrance of me
  2. 1:6 Or work among you
  3. 1:7 Or because you have me in your heart

13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.

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