⁷ These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life.^[a]

² in which you once walked, following the course of this world,^[a] following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient.^[b](A)

³ You have already spent enough time in doing what the gentiles like to do, living in debauchery, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry.^{(A) 4} They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme.^[a](B)

¹⁹ I am speaking in human terms because of your limitations.^[a] For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and lawlessness, leading to even more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification.^(A)

²⁰ When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.^(B)

³ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another.^(A)