The History of Creation^(A)

1 In the ^(B)beginning ^(C)God created the heavens and the earth.

^16 (A)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten ^(B)Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

²³ But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will ^(A)worship the Father in ^(B)spirit ^(C)and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. ^24 (D)God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

²⁰ For since the creation of the world ^(A)His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and ^[a]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but ^(B)became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ^22 (C)Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the ^(D)incorruptible ^(E)God into an image made like ^[b]corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

^24 (F)Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, ^(G)to dishonor their bodies ^(H)among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged ^(I)the truth of God ^(J)for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

⁵ For ^(A)those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, ^(B)the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For ^(C)to be ^[a]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because ^(D)the ^[b]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, ^(E)nor indeed can be. ⁸ So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.