⁴⁷ Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, ^(A)an Israelite indeed, ^(B)in whom there is no deceit!”

¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling^[a] the world to himself, ^(A)not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us ^(B)the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, ^(C)we are ambassadors for Christ, ^(D)God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ^21 (E)For our sake he made him to be sin ^(F)who knew no sin, so that in him we might become ^(G)the righteousness of God.

⁵ and ^(A)in their mouth no lie was found, for they are ^(B)blameless.

A Living Stone and a Holy People

2 ^(A)So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. ^2 (B)Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual ^(C)milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

⁴ and ^(A)does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it as a gift to the Lord in front of the tabernacle of the Lord, bloodguilt shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood, and that man ^(B)shall be cut off from among his people.

Paul's Change of Plans

¹² For our boast is this, ^(A)the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity^[a] and ^(B)godly sincerity, ^(C)not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.

¹³ for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but ^(A)sin is not counted where there is no law.