(as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed -- God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, "Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, And as I have purposed, [so] it shall stand:

This [is] the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth, And this [is] the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.

For the LORD of hosts has purposed, And who will annul [it?] His hand [is] stretched out, And who will turn it back?"

The LORD of hosts has purposed it, To bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, To bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.

Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times [things] that are not [yet] done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'

Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken [it;] I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed [it;] I will also do it.

And the land will tremble and sorrow; For every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, To make the land of Babylon a desolation without inhabitant.

having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

who has saved us and called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

And if by grace, then [it is] no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if [it is] of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

not of works, lest anyone should boast.

not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.

that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle [you.]

"These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those [who are] with Him [are] called, chosen, and faithful."