¹⁸ This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.^{(A) 19} When Moses had proclaimed^(B) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,^(C) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.^{(D) 20} He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”^[a](E)

² who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge^(A) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,^(B) to be obedient^(C) to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:^(D)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.^(E)