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)

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God^(A) are the children of God.^{(B) 15} The Spirit^(C) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;^(D) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[b] Father.”^{(E) 16} The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit^(F) that we are God’s children.^{(G) 17} Now if we are children, then we are heirs^(H)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings^(I) in order that we may also share in his glory.^(J)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.^(K)

²⁹ For those God foreknew^(A) he also predestined^(B) to be conformed to the image of his Son,^(C) that he might be the firstborn^(D) among many brothers and sisters.

²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world^(A) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save^(B) those who believe.^{(C) 22} Jews demand signs^(D) and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified:^(E) a stumbling block^(F) to Jews and foolishness^(G) to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called,^(H) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God^(I) and the wisdom of God.^{(J) 25} For the foolishness^(K) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness^(L) of God is stronger than human strength.

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.^(M) Not many of you were wise^(N) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose^(O) the foolish^(P) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not^(Q)—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him.^{(R) 30} It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,^(S) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,^(T) holiness^(U) and redemption.^{(V) 31} Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”^[a](W)

¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.^(A)

²¹ For since death came through a man,^(A) the resurrection of the dead^(B) comes also through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.^(C)

Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,^{(A) 2} in which you used to live^(B) when you followed the ways of this world^(C) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,^(D) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.^{(E) 3} All of us also lived among them at one time,^(F) gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a](G) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us,^(H) God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions^(I)—it is by grace you have been saved.^{(J) 6} And God raised us up with Christ^(K) and seated us with him^(L) in the heavenly realms^(M) in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,^(N) expressed in his kindness^(O) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace^(P) you have been saved,^(Q) through faith^(R)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works,^(S) so that no one can boast.^{(T) 10} For we are God’s handiwork,^(U) created^(V) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(W) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly^(X) you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)^(Y)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners^(Z) to the covenants of the promise,^(AA) without hope^(AB) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(AC) were far away have been brought near^(AD) by the blood of Christ.^(AE)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(AF) who has made the two groups one^(AG) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(AH) the law with its commands and regulations.^(AI) His purpose was to create in himself one^(AJ) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(AK) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(AL) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(AM) 18} For through him we both have access^(AN) to the Father^(AO) by one Spirit.^(AP)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(AQ) but fellow citizens^(AR) with God’s people and also members of his household,^{(AS) 20} built^(AT) on the foundation^(AU) of the apostles and prophets,^(AV) with Christ Jesus himself^(AW) as the chief cornerstone.^{(AX) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(AY) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(AZ)

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(A) in your minds^(B) because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(C) you by Christ’s physical body^(D) through death to present you^(E) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(F)—

⁹ Do not lie to each other,^(A) since you have taken off your old self^(B) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(C) which is being renewed^(D) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(E) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(F) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(G) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(H) but Christ is all,^(I) and is in all.