¹⁶ So I strive always to keep my conscience clear^(A) before God and man.

⁴ My conscience^(A) is clear, but that does not make me innocent.^(B) It is the Lord who judges me.^(C)

Paul’s Change of Plans

¹² Now this is our boast: Our conscience^(A) testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity^[a](B) and godly sincerity.^(C) We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom^(D) but on God’s grace.

⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart^(A) and a good conscience^(B) and a sincere faith.^(C)

¹⁹ holding on to faith and a good conscience,^(A) which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.^(B)

⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.^(A)

Thanksgiving

³ I thank God,^(A) whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience,^(B) as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.^(C)

¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit^(A) offered himself^(B) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences^(C) from acts that lead to death,^[a](D) so that we may serve the living God!^(E)

²² let us draw near to God^(A) with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,^(B) having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience^(C) and having our bodies washed with pure water.^(D)