15 “You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. 16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. 17 There shall be two tenons in each frame, for fitting together. So shall you do for all the frames of the tabernacle. 18 You shall make the frames for the tabernacle: twenty frames for the south side; 19 and forty bases of silver you shall make under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons; 20 and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side twenty frames, 21 and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame, and two bases under the next frame. 22 And for the rear of the tabernacle westward you shall make six frames. 23 And you shall make two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear; 24 they shall be separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring. Thus shall it be with both of them; they shall form the two corners. 25 And there shall be eight frames, with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one frame, and two bases under another frame.

26 “You shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the side of the tabernacle at the rear westward. 28 The middle bar, halfway up the frames, shall run from end to end. 29 You shall overlay the frames with gold and shall make their rings of gold for (A)holders for the bars, and you shall overlay the bars with gold. 30 Then you shall erect the tabernacle (B)according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain.

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15 “Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 16 Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide,[a] 17 with two projections set parallel to each other. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. 18 Make twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle 19 and make forty silver bases(A) to go under them—two bases for each frame, one under each projection. 20 For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, make twenty frames 21 and forty silver bases(B)—two under each frame. 22 Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, 23 and make two frames for the corners at the far end. 24 At these two corners they must be double from the bottom all the way to the top and fitted into a single ring; both shall be like that. 25 So there will be eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

26 “Also make crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 27 five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. 28 The center crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames. 29 Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.

30 “Set up the tabernacle(C) according to the plan(D) shown you on the mountain.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 26:16 That is, about 15 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide or about 4.5 meters long and 68 centimeters wide

The Rebellion of Sheba

20 Now there happened to be there (A)a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said,

(B)“We have no portion in David,
and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse;
(C)every man to his tents, O Israel!”

So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

And David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took (D)the ten concubines whom he had left to care for the house and put them in a house under guard and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood.

Then the king said to (E)Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here yourself.” So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him. And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take (F)your lord's servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us.”[a] And there went out after him Joab's men and the (G)Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing a soldier's garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh, and as he went forward it fell out. And Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand (H)to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab's hand. (I)So Joab struck him with it (J)in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died.

Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. 11 And one of Joab's young men took his stand by Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.” 12 And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the highway. And anyone who came by, seeing him, stopped. And when the man saw that all the people stopped, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field and threw a garment over him. 13 When he was taken out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

14 And Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to (K)Abel of (L)Beth-maacah,[b] and all (M)the Bichrites[c] assembled and followed him in. 15 And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in (N)Abel of Beth-maacah. (O)They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down. 16 Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’” 17 And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” 18 Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at (P)Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. 19 I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you (Q)swallow up (R)the heritage of the Lord?” 20 Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should (S)swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not true. But a man of (T)the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.” 22 Then the woman went to all the people (U)in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, (V)every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

23 (W)Now Joab was in command of all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and the Pelethites; 24 and (X)Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; 25 and Sheva was secretary; and (Y)Zadok and Abiathar were priests; 26 and (Z)Ira the Jairite was also David's priest.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 20:6 Hebrew and snatch away our eyes
  2. 2 Samuel 20:14 Compare 20:15; Hebrew and Beth-maacah
  3. 2 Samuel 20:14 Hebrew Berites

Sheba Rebels Against David

20 Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted,

“We have no share(A) in David,(B)
    no part in Jesse’s son!(C)
Every man to his tent, Israel!”

So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines(D) he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.

Then the king said to Amasa,(E) “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.” But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him.

David said to Abishai,(F) “Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master’s men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us.”[a] So Joab’s men and the Kerethites(G) and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

While they were at the great rock in Gibeon,(H) Amasa came to meet them. Joab(I) was wearing his military tunic, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, it dropped out of its sheath.

Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger(J) in Joab’s(K) hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bikri.

11 One of Joab’s men stood beside Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!” 12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt(L) there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him. 13 After Amasa had been removed from the road, everyone went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maakah and through the entire region of the Bikrites,[b](M) who gathered together and followed him. 15 All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah.(N) They built a siege ramp(O) up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, 16 a wise woman(P) called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.” 17 He went toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”

“I am,” he answered.

She said, “Listen to what your servant has to say.”

“I’m listening,” he said.

18 She continued, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel,’ and that settled it. 19 We are the peaceful(Q) and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”(R)

20 “Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”

The woman said to Joab, “His head(S) will be thrown to you from the wall.”

22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice,(T) and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.

David’s Officials

23 Joab(U) was over Israel’s entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; 24 Adoniram[c](V) was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat(W) son of Ahilud was recorder; 25 Sheva was secretary; Zadok(X) and Abiathar were priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite[d] was David’s priest.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 20:6 Or and do us serious injury
  2. 2 Samuel 20:14 See Septuagint and Vulgate; Hebrew Berites.
  3. 2 Samuel 20:24 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Kings 4:6 and 5:14); Hebrew Adoram
  4. 2 Samuel 20:26 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also 23:38) Ithrite

The Lord Promises Peace

33 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still (A)shut up in the court of the guard: “Thus says (B)the Lord who made the earth,[a] the Lord who formed it to establish it—(C)the Lord is his name: (D)Call to me and I will answer you, (E)and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city and the houses of the kings of Judah that were torn down to make a defense against (F)the siege mounds and against the sword: They are coming in (G)to fight against the Chaldeans and to fill them[b] with the dead bodies of men whom I shall strike down (H)in my anger and my wrath, (I)for I have hidden my face from this city because of all their evil. (J)Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. (K)I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, (L)and rebuild them as they were (M)at first. (N)I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, (O)and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. (P)And this city[c] shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall (Q)fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.

10 “Thus says the Lord: In this place (R)of which you say, ‘It is a waste without man or beast,’ in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall be heard again 11 (S)the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring (T)thank offerings to the house of the Lord:

(U)“‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts,
    for the Lord is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!’

(V)For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord.

12 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: (W)In this place that is waste, without man or beast, and in all of its cities, there shall again be (X)habitations of shepherds (Y)resting their flocks. 13 (Z)In the cities of the hill country, (AA)in the cities of the Shephelah, (AB)and in the cities of the Negeb, in the land of Benjamin, (AC)the places about Jerusalem, (AD)and in the cities of Judah, (AE)flocks shall again pass under the hands (AF)of the one who counts them, says the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 33:2 Septuagint; Hebrew it
  2. Jeremiah 33:5 That is, the torn-down houses
  3. Jeremiah 33:9 Hebrew And it

Promise of Restoration

33 While Jeremiah was still confined(A) in the courtyard(B) of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time:(C) “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth,(D) the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name:(E) ‘Call(F) to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable(G) things you do not know.’ For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the houses in this city and the royal palaces of Judah that have been torn down to be used against the siege(H) ramps(I) and the sword in the fight with the Babylonians[a]: ‘They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in my anger and wrath.(J) I will hide my face(K) from this city because of all its wickedness.

“‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal(L) my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace(M) and security. I will bring Judah(N) and Israel back from captivity[b](O) and will rebuild(P) them as they were before.(Q) I will cleanse(R) them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive(S) all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown,(T) joy, praise(U) and honor(V) before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble(W) at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’

10 “This is what the Lord says: ‘You say about this place, “It is a desolate waste, without people or animals.”(X) Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted,(Y) inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more 11 the sounds of joy and gladness,(Z) the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings(AA) to the house of the Lord, saying,

“Give thanks to the Lord Almighty,
    for the Lord is good;(AB)
    his love endures forever.”(AC)

For I will restore the fortunes(AD) of the land as they were before,(AE)’ says the Lord.

12 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In this place, desolate(AF) and without people or animals(AG)—in all its towns there will again be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks.(AH) 13 In the towns of the hill(AI) country, of the western foothills and of the Negev,(AJ) in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah, flocks will again pass under the hand(AK) of the one who counts them,’ says the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 33:5 Or Chaldeans
  2. Jeremiah 33:7 Or will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel

The Steadfast Love of God Endures

To the choirmaster. A Maskil[a] of David, when (A)Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”

52 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?
    The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
Your (B)tongue plots destruction,
    like (C)a sharp razor, you (D)worker of deceit.
You love evil more than good,
    and (E)lying more than speaking what is right. Selah
You love all words that devour,
    O deceitful tongue.

But God will break you down forever;
    he will snatch and (F)tear you from your tent;
    he will uproot you from (G)the land of the living. Selah
The righteous shall (H)see and fear,
    and shall (I)laugh at him, saying,
“See the man who would not make
    God his refuge,
but (J)trusted in the abundance of his riches
    and sought refuge in his own destruction!”[b]

But I am like (K)a green olive tree
    in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
    forever and ever.
I will thank you forever,
    because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, (L)for it is good,
    in the presence of the (M)godly.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 52:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 52:7 Or in his work of destruction

Psalm 52[a]

For the director of music. A maskil[b] of David. When Doeg the Edomite(A) had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.”

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
    Why do you boast(B) all day long,(C)
    you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
You who practice deceit,(D)
    your tongue plots destruction;(E)
    it is like a sharpened razor.(F)
You love evil(G) rather than good,
    falsehood(H) rather than speaking the truth.[c]
You love every harmful word,
    you deceitful tongue!(I)

Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
    He will snatch you up and pluck(J) you from your tent;
    he will uproot(K) you from the land of the living.(L)
The righteous will see and fear;
    they will laugh(M) at you, saying,
“Here now is the man
    who did not make God his stronghold(N)
but trusted in his great wealth(O)
    and grew strong by destroying others!”

But I am like an olive tree(P)
    flourishing in the house of God;
I trust(Q) in God’s unfailing love
    for ever and ever.
For what you have done I will always praise you(R)
    in the presence of your faithful people.(S)
And I will hope in your name,(T)
    for your name is good.(U)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 52:1 In Hebrew texts 52:1-9 is numbered 52:3-11.
  2. Psalm 52:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 52:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 5.

The Rich Young Man

17 (A)And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and (B)knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to (C)inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: (D)‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, (E)all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, (F)looking at him, (G)loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, (H)sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have (I)treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 (J)Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus (K)looked around and said to his disciples, (L)“How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter (M)the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples (N)were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, (O)“Children, (P)how difficult it is[a] to enter (Q)the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter (R)the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,[b] “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus (S)looked at them and said, (T)“With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, (U)we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, (V)there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and (W)for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold (X)now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, (Y)with persecutions, and in (Z)the age to come eternal life. 31 But (AA)many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 10:24 Some manuscripts add for those who trust in riches
  2. Mark 10:26 Some manuscripts to one another

The Rich and the Kingdom of God(A)

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees(B) before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”(C)

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[a](D)

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor,(E) and you will have treasure in heaven.(F) Then come, follow me.”(G)

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich(H) to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God!(I) 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”(J)

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”(K)

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”(L)

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much(M) in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come(N) eternal life.(O) 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”(P)

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 10:19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
  2. Mark 10:24 Some manuscripts is for those who trust in riches

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, (A)sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For (B)I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with (C)the law, that it is good. 17 So now (D)it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells (E)in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 (F)For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, (G)it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For (H)I delight in the law of God, (I)in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members (J)another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from (K)this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

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14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual,(A) sold(B) as a slave to sin.(C) 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.(D) 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.(E) 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.(F) 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a](G) For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.(H) 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.(I)

21 So I find this law at work:(J) Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being(K) I delight in God’s law;(L) 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war(M) against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin(N) at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?(O) 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!(P)

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law,(Q) but in my sinful nature[b] a slave to the law of sin.(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 7:18 Or my flesh
  2. Romans 7:25 Or in the flesh