18. You know that in the past you were living in a worthless way. You got that way of living from the people who lived before you. But you were saved from that useless life. You were bought, but not with something that ruins like gold or silver.
19. You were bought with the precious blood of the death of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb.
20. Christ was chosen before the world was made. But he was shown to the world in these last times for you.
21. You believe in God through Christ. God raised Christ from death and gave him glory. So your faith and your hope are in God.
22. Now you have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. Now you can have true love for your brothers. So love each other deeply with all your heart.
23. You have been born again. This new life did not come from something that dies, but from something that cannot die. You were born again through God’s living message that continues forever.
24. The Scripture says,“All people are like the grass.And all their strength is like the flowers of the field.The grass dies and the flowers fall.
25. But the word of the Lord will live forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8And this is the word that was preached to you.