And the others who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them from continuing in office,

but he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever.

By his will we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.

Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom.

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake.

You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.

Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme

or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good.

For this finds God’s favor, if because of conscience toward God someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly.

Through these things the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water.

I am writing to you, little children, that your sins have been forgiven because of his name.

I am also aware that you have persisted steadfastly, endured much for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary.

But since they found no way to carry him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down on the stretcher through the roof tiles right in front of Jesus.

I tell you, even though the man inside will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the first man’s sheer persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight.

The local inhabitants showed us extraordinary kindness, for they built a fire and welcomed us all because it had started to rain and was cold.

For if, by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through the one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ!

Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life.