Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer^(A) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.^{(B) 18} They are darkened in their understanding^(C) and separated from the life of God^(D) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.^{(E) 19} Having lost all sensitivity,^(F) they have given themselves over^(G) to sensuality^(H) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off^(I) your old self,^(J) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(K) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(L) 24} and to put on^(M) the new self,^(N) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(O)

⁵ Put to death,^(A) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(B) sexual immorality,^(C) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(D) which is idolatry.^{(E) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(F) is coming.^{[a] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^{(G) 8} But now you must also rid yourselves^(H) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(I) and filthy language from your lips.^{(J) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(K) since you have taken off your old self^(L) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(M) which is being renewed^(N) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(O) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(P) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(Q) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(R) but Christ is all,^(S) and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(T) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(U) gentleness and patience.^(V)