⁷ and grow up^[a] like a plant of the field.” You grew up and became tall and arrived at full womanhood;^[b] your breasts were formed, and your hair had grown, yet you were naked and bare.^(A)

¹⁶ But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience as an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.

⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight

⁷ “It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples.^{(A) 8} It was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath that he swore to your ancestors that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.^(B)

⁸ But Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord.^(A)

⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Results of Justification

5 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we^[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,^{(A) 2} through whom we have obtained access^[b] to this grace in which we stand, and we^[c] boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.^{(B) 3} And not only that, but we^[d] also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,^{(C) 4} and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.^(D)

⁶ For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.^{(E) 7} Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. ⁸ But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.^{(F) 9} Much more surely, therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.^{[e](G) 10} For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.^(H)

³⁰ The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.