Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea,

and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.

Don’t become idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play.

Let us not test Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by snakes.

Nor should we complain as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer.

Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged,

You know that when you were pagans, you used to be led off to the idols that could not speak.

For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?

And if they were all the same part, where would the body be?

For we don’t want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction that took place in Asia: we were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life.

Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the Israelites were not able to look directly at Moses’ face because of the glory from his face—a fading glory—

but their minds were closed. For to this day, at the reading of the old covenant, the same veil remains; it is not lifted, because it is set aside only in Christ.

In fact, when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest. Instead, we were troubled in every way: conflicts on the outside, fears inside.

Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us.

For this reason we have been comforted.

In addition to our comfort, we rejoiced even more over the joy Titus had, because his spirit was refreshed by all of you.

The signs of an apostle were performed with great endurance among you—not only signs but also wonders and miracles.

So in what way were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

You have thought all along that we were defending ourselves to you. No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.

For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.

Now from those recognized as important (what they really were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism)—they added nothing to me.

But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ.

Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.

In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces of the world.

But in the past, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods.

You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?

We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will,

When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins

We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.

made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands.

At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.

When the Messiah came, He proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—

assuming you heard about Him and were taught by Him, because the truth is in Jesus.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light—

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.

Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds because of your evil actions.

rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.

You were also circumcised in Him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of the Messiah.

Having been buried with Him in baptism, you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses.

and you once walked in these things when you were living in them.

And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit,

On the contrary, after we had previously suffered, and we were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.

Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.

We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

But as for us, brothers, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face.

In fact, when we were with you, we told you previously that we were going to suffer persecution, and as you know, it happened.

Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith.

Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, either by our message or by our letter.

For you yourselves know how you must imitate us: We were not irresponsible among you;

In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”

Fight the good fight for the faith;
take hold of eternal life
that you were called to
and have made a good confession about
in the presence of many witnesses.

For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.

So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

For we also have received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith

For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit,

Now if He were on earth, He wouldn’t be a priest, since there are those offering the gifts prescribed by the law.

For a tabernacle was set up, and in the first room, which is called the holy place, were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves.

The cherubim of glory were above it overshadowing the mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things in detail right now.

Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way.

For our ancestors won God’s approval by it.

These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.

By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.

Women received their dead—they were raised to life again. Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection,

They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated.

All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised,

Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.

For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold,

and

A stone to stumble over,
and a rock to trip over.

They stumble because they disobey the message; they were destined for this.

Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.

For you were called to this,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example,
so that you should follow in His steps.

For you were like sheep going astray,
but you have now returned
to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.

who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people—were saved through water.

Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.

For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

And we heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with Him on the holy mountain.

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.

and if He reduced the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes and condemned them to ruin, making them an example to those who were going to be ungodly;

unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

So now I urge you, dear lady—not as if I were writing you a new command, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.

For some men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.

His head and hair were white like wool—white as snow—and His eyes like a fiery flame.

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.

Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads.

Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.

Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were in the middle and around the throne.

Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying:

Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God, the Almighty,
who was, who is, and who is coming.

Our Lord and God,
You are worthy to receive
glory and honor and power,
because You have created all things,
and because of Your will
they exist and were created.

And they sang a new song:

You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because You were slaughtered,
and You redeemed people
for God by Your blood
from every tribe and language
and people and nation.