But you are the elect race, the royal priesthood, the consecrated nation, the People who belong to Him, that you may proclaim the wondrous deeds of Him who has called you from darkness to his wonderful light ??10 you who once were no people and now are God's people, you who once were unpitied and now are pitied.

For God who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," has shone within my heart to illuminate men with the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Christ.

that their eyes may be opened and that they may turn from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, to get remission of their sins and an inheritance among those who are consecrated by faith in me.'

Since then it is reserved for some to enter it, and since those who formerly got the good news failed to enter owing to their disobedience,

if a man's work is burnt up, he will be a loser ??and though he will be saved himself, he will be snatched from the very flames.

The rain came down, the floods rose, the winds blew and beat upon that house, and down it fell ??with a mighty crash."

I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."

saying, 'This fellow started to build but he could not finish it.'

The servant who had got the twelve hundred pounds went at once and traded with them, making another twelve hundred.

Hence I would remind you to rekindle the divine gift which you received when my hands were laid upon you;

Shut your mind against these profane, drivelling myths; train for the religious life.