In the exercise of His willHe brought us forthby the wordof truth,sothat we would be a kindof first fruitsamong His creatures.
"Israelwas holyto the LORD,The firstof His harvest.Allwho ateof it becameguilty;Evilcameupon them," declaresthe LORD.'"
"Speakto the sonsof Israeland sayto them, 'Whenyou enterthe landwhichI am going to giveto you and reapits harvest,then you shall bringin the sheafof the firstfruitsof your harvestto the priest.
Woeto thosewho are at easein ZionAnd to those who [feel] securein the mountainof Samaria,The distinguishedmen of the foremostof nations,To whomthe houseof Israelcomes.
whowere born,not of bloodnorof the willof the fleshnorof the willof man,but of God.
(as it is written,"A FATHEROF MANYNATIONSHAVE I MADEYOU") in the presenceof Him whomhe believed,[even] God,who gives lifeto the deadand callsinto being that which does not exist.
For ifyou were to havecountlesstutorsin Christ,yet[you would] not [have] manyfathers,for in ChristJesusI became your fatherthroughthe gospel.
in the wordof truth,in the powerof God;by the weaponsof righteousnessfor the right handand the left,
to the endthat we who were the first to hopein Christwould be to the praiseof His glory.
In Him, you also,after listeningto the messageof truth,the gospelof your salvation--having alsobelieved,you were sealedin Him with the HolySpiritof promise,
Be diligentto presentyourselfapprovedto Godas a workmanwho does not need to be ashamed,accurately handlingthe wordof truth.
to the general assemblyand churchof the firstbornwho are enrolledin heaven,and to God,the Judgeof all,and to the spiritsof [the] righteousmade perfect,
Thenwhen lusthas conceived,it gives birthto sin;and when sinis accomplished,it brings forthdeath.
Therefore,putting asideallfilthinessand [all] that remainsof wickedness,in humilityreceivethe wordimplanted,which is ableto saveyour souls.
But ifyou havebitterjealousyand selfish ambitionin your heart,do not be arrogantand [so] lieagainstthe truth.
for you have been born againnot of seedwhich is perishablebut imperishable,[that is], throughthe livingand enduringwordof God.
Blessedbe the Godand Fatherof our LordJesusChrist,who accordingto His greatmercyhas caused us to be born againto a livinghopethroughthe resurrectionof JesusChristfrom the dead,
Noonewho is bornof Godpracticessin,becauseHis seedabidesin him; and he cannotsin,becausehe is bornof God.
Theseare the ones who have not been defiledwith women,for they have kept themselveschaste.These[are] the ones who followthe LambwhereverHe goes.Thesehave been purchasedfrom amongmenas first fruitsto Godand to the Lamb.
