¹¹ even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue,

⁹ he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,^{(A) 10} as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.^{(B) 11} In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,^[a] having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will,^(C)

⁴ just as he chose us in Christ^[a] before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.^{(A) 5} He destined us^[b] for adoption as his children^[c] through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,^(B)

¹⁴ they will wage war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”^(A)

¹⁰ Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble.

²⁸ We know that all things work together^[a] for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.^{(A) 29} For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.^{[b](B) 30} And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.^(C)

¹⁷ as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”), in the presence of the God in whom he believed,^[a] who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.^(A)

¹⁰ And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ,^[a] will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.^(A)

⁵ he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water^[a] of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.^(A)

⁹ who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace, and this grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,^[a](A)