Peace and Hope

5 Therefore, since we have been justified^(A) through faith,^(B) we^[a] have peace^(C) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,^{(D) 2} through whom we have gained access^(E) by faith into this grace in which we now stand.^(F) And we^[b] boast in the hope^(G) of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings,^(H) because we know that suffering produces perseverance;^{(I) 4} perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope^(J) does not put us to shame, because God’s love^(K) has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,^(L) who has been given to us.

¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(A) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(B) 18} For through him we both have access^(C) to the Father^(D) by one Spirit.^(E)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(F) but fellow citizens^(G) with God’s people and also members of his household,^(H)

¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God^(A) with freedom and confidence.^(B)

¹⁸ The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless^{(A) 19} (for the law made nothing perfect),^(B) and a better hope^(C) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.^(D)

²⁰ And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, ²¹ but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:

¹⁴ This is the confidence^(A) we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.^(B)