¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,^(A) the new creation^(B) has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!^{(C) 18} All this is from God,^(D) who reconciled us to himself through Christ^(E) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

²⁵ I will sprinkle^(A) clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse^(B) you from all your impurities^(C) and from all your idols.^{(D) 26} I will give you a new heart^(E) and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone^(F) and give you a heart of flesh.^{(G) 27} And I will put my Spirit^(H) in you and move you to follow my decrees^(I) and be careful to keep my laws.^(J)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,^(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform^(C) to the pattern of this world,^(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.^(E) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is^(F)—his good, pleasing^(G) and perfect will.