¹² Therefore do not let sin reign^(A) in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. ¹³ Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness,^(B) but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.^{(C) 14} For sin shall no longer be your master,^(D) because you are not under the law,^(E) but under grace.^(F)

Slaves to Righteousness

¹⁵ What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?^(G) By no means! ¹⁶ Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey^(H)—whether you are slaves to sin,^(I) which leads to death,^(J) or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God^(K) that, though you used to be slaves to sin,^(L) you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching^(M) that has now claimed your allegiance. ¹⁸ You have been set free from sin^(N) and have become slaves to righteousness.^(O)

³⁹ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief^(A) was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁰ You also must be ready,^(B) because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

⁴¹ Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

⁴² The Lord^(C) answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? ⁴³ It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. ⁴⁴ Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁵ But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. ⁴⁶ The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.^(D) He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

⁴⁷ “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.^{(E) 48} But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.^(F) From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.