They brought the man who used to be blind to the Pharisees.

They were only hearing, “The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news of the faith he once tried to destroy.”

Just as you were formerly disobedient to God, but have now received mercy due to their disobedience,

for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light –

You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them.

For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –

who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me.

You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.

And I was once alive apart from the law, but with the coming of the commandment sin became alive

But now in Christ Jesus you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds,

For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands,

for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

and I always ask in my prayers, if perhaps now at last I may succeed in visiting you according to the will of God.

For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it.

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh – who are called “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” that is performed on the body by human hands –

For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church,

I have great joy in the Lord because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. (Now I know you were concerned before but had no opportunity to do anything.)

For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another.