Walking in the Spirit

¹⁶ I say then: ^(A)Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For ^(B)the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, ^(C)so that you do not do the things that you wish. ¹⁸ But ^(D)if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now ^(E)the works of the flesh are evident, which are: ^[a]adultery, ^[b]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, ^[c]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that ^(F)those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But ^(G)the fruit of the Spirit is ^(H)love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, ^(I)goodness, ^(J)faithfulness, ^23 [d]gentleness, self-control. ^(K)Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s ^(L)have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ^25 (M)If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ^26 (N)Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Bear and Share Burdens

6 Brethren, if a man is ^[e]overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of ^(O)gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ^2 (P)Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill ^(Q)the law of Christ. ³ For ^(R)if anyone thinks himself to be something, when ^(S)he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But ^(T)let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and ^(U)not in another. ⁵ For ^(V)each one shall bear his own load.

Be Generous and Do Good

^6 (W)Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for ^(X)whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap ^(Y)everlasting life. ⁹ And ^(Z)let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap ^(AA)if we do not lose heart.

Living Before God Our Father

¹³ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ as obedient children, not ^(A)conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; ^15 (B)but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, ^(C)“Be holy, for I am holy.”

¹⁷ And if you call on the Father, who ^(D)without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your ^[a]stay here in fear; ¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with ^[b]corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, ¹⁹ but ^(E)with the precious blood of Christ, ^(F)as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. ^20 (G)He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was ^[c]manifest ^(H)in these last times for you ²¹ who through Him believe in God, ^(I)who raised Him from the dead and ^(J)gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

The Enduring Word

²² Since you ^(K)have purified your souls in obeying the truth ^[d]through the Spirit in ^[e]sincere ^(L)love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, ^23 (M)having been born again, not of ^[f]corruptible seed but ^[g]incorruptible, ^(N)through the word of God which lives and abides ^[h]forever, ²⁴ because

^(Q)Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

Our Inheritance Through Christ’s Blood

2 Therefore, ^(R)laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, ^2 (S)as newborn babes, desire the pure ^(T)milk of the word, that you may grow ^[k]thereby, ³ if indeed you have ^(U)tasted that the Lord is gracious.