God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

¹⁸ The wrath of God^(A) is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.^{(B) 20} For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made,^(C) so that people are without excuse.^(D)

²¹ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.^{(E) 22} Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools^{(F) 23} and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images^(G) made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Psalm 14^(A)

For the director of music. Of David.

¹⁶ I have other sheep^(A) that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock^(B) and one shepherd.^(C)

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;^(A) apart from me you can do nothing.

¹⁹ Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?^{(A) 20} No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,^(B) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners^(A) to the covenants of the promise,^(B) without hope^(C) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(D) were far away have been brought near^(E) by the blood of Christ.^(F)

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(A) in your minds^(B) because of^[a] your evil behavior.

³ It is God’s will^(A) that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;^{(B) 4} that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a](C) in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust^(D) like the pagans,^(E) who do not know God;^{(F) 6} and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.^[b](G) The Lord will punish^(H) all those who commit such sins,^(I) as we told you and warned you before.