¹⁸ In the exercise of ^(A)His will He ^(B)gave us birth by ^(C)the word of truth, so that we would be ^[a]a kind of ^(D)first fruits ^[b]among His creatures.

^4 (A)These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are celibate. These are the ones who ^(B)follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been ^(C)purchased from mankind ^(D)as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.