²¹ To ^(A)those outside the law I became ^(B)as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but ^(C)under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.

God's Judgment and the Law

¹² For all who have sinned ^(A)without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.

² Let me ask you only this: ^(A)Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by ^(B)hearing with faith?

¹⁴ For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, ^(A)by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law

^17 (A)“Do not think that I have come to abolish ^(B)the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but ^(C)to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly, I say to you, ^(D)until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. ^19 (E)Therefore whoever relaxes ^(F)one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least ^(G)in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great ^(H)in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds ^(I)that of the scribes and Pharisees, you ^(J)will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

^19 (A)For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but ^(B)keeping the commandments of God. ^20 (C)Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. ²¹ Were you a bondservant^[a] when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) ²² For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is ^(D)a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is ^(E)a bondservant of Christ.

² Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, ^(A)sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. ^3 (B)Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, ^(C)not slanderers ^(D)or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, ⁴ and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, ^(E)pure, ^(F)working at home, kind, and ^(G)submissive to their own husbands, ^(H)that the word of God may not be reviled. ⁶ Likewise, urge ^(I)the younger men to be self-controlled. ⁷ Show yourself in all respects to be ^(J)a model of good works, and in your teaching ^(K)show integrity, ^(L)dignity, ⁸ and ^(M)sound speech that cannot be condemned, ^(N)so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. ^9 (O)Bondservants^[a] are to be submissive to their own masters ^(P)in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, ^(Q)but showing all good faith, ^(R)so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

¹¹ For ^(S)the grace of God ^(T)has appeared, bringing salvation ^(U)for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and ^(V)worldly passions, and ^(W)to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in ^(X)the present age,

A Life Pleasing to God

4 Finally, then, brothers,^[a] we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you ^(A)received from us ^(B)how you ought to walk and ^(C)to please God, just as you are doing, that you ^(D)do so more and more. ² For ^(E)you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Children and Parents

6 ^(A)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ^2 (B)“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), ³ “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”