⁷ or because of these surpassingly great revelations.^(A) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,^(B) a messenger of Satan,^(C) to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^{(D) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(E) is sufficient for you, for my power^(F) is made perfect in weakness.^(G)”^(H) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;^(A) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,^(B) you will live.^(C)

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God^(D) are the children of God.^(E)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(A) who has made the two groups one^(B) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(C) the law with its commands and regulations.^(D) His purpose was to create in himself one^(E) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(F) by which he put to death their hostility.

³ For you died,^(A) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life,^(B) appears,^(C) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(D)

¹⁷ Since you call on a Father^(A) who judges each person’s work^(B) impartially,^(C) live out your time as foreigners^(D) here in reverent fear.^{(E) 18} For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed^(F) from the empty way of life^(G) handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood^(H) of Christ, a lamb^(I) without blemish or defect.^(J)