Results of Justification

5 ^(A)Therefore, having been justified by faith, ^[a](B)we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we also have ^(C)obtained our introduction by faith into this grace ^(D)in which we stand; and ^[b]we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. ^3 (E)And not only this, but ^[c]we also ^(F)celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about ^(G)perseverance; ⁴ and ^(H)perseverance, ^(I)proven character; and proven character, hope; ⁵ and hope ^(J)does not disappoint, because the love of God has been ^(K)poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

⁶ For while we were still ^(L)helpless, ^(M)at the right time ^(N)Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For one will hardly die for a righteous person; ^[d]though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die. ⁸ But God ^(O)demonstrates ^(P)His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, ^(Q)Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified ^[e](R)by His blood, we shall be saved ^(S)from the wrath of God through Him. ¹⁰ For if while we were ^(T)enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved ^[f](U)by His life. ^11 (V)And not only this, but ^[g]we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received ^(W)the reconciliation.

¹² Therefore, just as through ^(X)one man sin entered into the world, and ^(Y)death through sin, and ^(Z)so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned— ¹³ for ^[h]until the Law sin was in the world, but ^(AA)sin is not ^[i]counted against anyone when there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned ^(AB)in the likeness of the ^[j]violation committed by Adam, who is a ^[k](AC)type of Him who was to come.

¹⁵ But ^[l]the gracious gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of ^(AD)the one ^(AE)the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by ^(AF)the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many. ¹⁶ The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand ^(AG)the judgment arose from one offense, ^[m]resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the gracious gift arose from many offenses, ^[n]resulting in justification. ¹⁷ For if by the offense of the one, death reigned ^(AH)through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness ^(AI)reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

¹⁸ So then, as through ^(AJ)one offense ^[o]the result was condemnation to all mankind, so also through one ^(AK)act of righteousness ^[p]the result was ^(AL)justification of life to all mankind. ¹⁹ For as through the one man’s disobedience ^(AM)the many ^(AN)were made sinners, so also through ^(AO)the obedience of the One ^(AP)the many will be made righteous. ^20 [q](AQ)The Law came in so that the offense would increase; but where sin increased, ^(AR)grace abounded all the more, ²¹ so that, as ^(AS)sin reigned in death, so also ^(AT)grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Growth in Christian Virtue

1 ^[a]Simon Peter, a ^(A)bond-servant and ^(B)apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received ^(C)a faith of the same ^[b]kind as ours, ^[c]by ^(D)the righteousness of ^(E)our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: ^2 (F)Grace and peace be multiplied to you in ^(G)the knowledge of God and of Jesus ^[d]our Lord, ³ for His ^(H)divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true ^(I)knowledge of Him who ^(J)called us ^[e]by His own glory and ^[f]excellence. ⁴ Through ^[g]these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent ^(K)promises, so that by them you may become ^(L)partakers of the divine nature, having ^(M)escaped the ^(N)corruption that is in ^(O)the world on account of lust. ⁵ Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith ^(P)supply ^(Q)moral ^[h]excellence, and in your moral excellence, ^(R)knowledge, ⁶ and in your knowledge, ^(S)self-control, and in your self-control, ^(T)perseverance, and in your perseverance, ^(U)godliness, ⁷ and in your godliness, ^(V)brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor ^(W)unproductive in the true ^(X)knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For the one who lacks these qualities is ^(Y)blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his ^(Z)purification from his former sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His ^(AA)calling and ^(AB)choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never ^(AC)stumble; ¹¹ for in this way the entrance into ^(AD)the eternal kingdom of our ^(AE)Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be ^(AF)abundantly ^(AG)supplied to you.

¹² Therefore, ^(AH)I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them and have been established in ^(AI)the truth which is present with you.

³⁶ But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, *said to the ^(A)synagogue official, “^(B)Do not be afraid, only ^[a]believe.”

³⁵ So Jesus said to them, “^(A)For a little while longer ^(B)the Light is among you. ^(C)Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; also, the one who ^(D)walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

¹⁴ You are My ^(A)friends if ^(B)you do what I command you.