¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel,^(A) because it is the power of God^(B) that brings salvation to everyone who believes:^(C) first to the Jew,^(D) then to the Gentile.^(E)

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness^(A) to those who are perishing,^(B) but to us who are being saved^(C) it is the power of God.^(D)

²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^[a](A) because he will save his people from their sins.”^(B)

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,^(A)

⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power^(A) until the coming of the salvation^(B) that is ready to be revealed^(C) in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice,^(D) though now for a little while^(E) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.^{(F) 7} These have come so that the proven genuineness^(G) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(H)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(I) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^{(J) 8} Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him^(K) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.^(L)

⁹ and, once made perfect,^(A) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

²⁸ so Christ was sacrificed once^(A) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,^(B) not to bear sin,^(C) but to bring salvation^(D) to those who are waiting for him.^(E)