⁶ and made us ^(A)a kingdom, ^(B)priests to ^(C)his God and Father, to him be ^(D)glory and ^(E)dominion forever and ever. Amen.

^6 (A)Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such ^(B)the second death has no power, but they will be ^(C)priests of God and of Christ, and they ^(D)will reign with him for a thousand years.

^5 (A)you yourselves like living stones are being built up as ^(B)a spiritual house, to be ^(C)a holy priesthood, ^(D)to offer spiritual sacrifices ^(E)acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

⁷ So the honor is for you who ^(H)believe, but for those who ^(I)do not believe,

⁸ and

They stumble because they disobey the word, ^(L)as they were destined to do.

⁹ But you are ^(M)a chosen race, ^(N)a royal ^(O)priesthood, ^(P)a holy nation, ^(Q)a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you ^(R)out of darkness into ^(S)his marvelous light.

⁶ and you shall be to me a ^(A)kingdom of priests and ^(B)a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

³⁶ For ^(A)from him and through him and to him are all things. ^(B)To him be glory forever. Amen.

A Living Sacrifice

12 ^(C)I appeal to you therefore, brothers,^[a] by the mercies of God, ^(D)to present your bodies ^(E)as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.^[b]

¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks ^(A)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves ^(B)by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything ^(C)God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. ^(D)To him belong glory and ^(E)dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Nebuchadnezzar Restored

^34 (A)At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and ^(B)my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored ^(C)him who lives forever,