Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

^14 (A)I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers,^[a] that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with ^(B)all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

¹⁵ Rather, ^(A)speaking the truth in love, we are to ^(B)grow up in every way into him who is ^(C)the head, into Christ, ^16 (D)from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, ^(E)when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

²⁰ Therefore, ^(A)we are ambassadors for Christ, ^(B)God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

¹² The man said, ^(A)“The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” ¹³ Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, ^(B)“The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

¹⁷ So ^(A)faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Confirm Your Calling and Election

³ His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him ^(A)who called us to^[a] his own glory and excellence,^{[b] 4} by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become ^(B)partakers of the divine nature, ^(C)having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith ^(D)with virtue,^[c] and virtue ^(E)with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control ^(F)with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness ^(G)with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection ^(H)with love. ⁸ For if these qualities^[d] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or ^(I)unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he ^(J)is blind, having forgotten that he was ^(K)cleansed from his former sins.

¹² For ^(A)the word of God is living and ^(B)active, ^(C)sharper than any ^(D)two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and ^(E)discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And ^(F)no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are ^(G)naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

^19 (A)my little children, ^(B)for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ ^(C)is formed in you!