Living the New Life

¹⁷ Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because^[a] of the hardness of their hearts. ¹⁹ They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity^(A) with a desire for more and more.^[b]

²⁰ But that is not how you came to know Christ, ²¹ assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth^(B) is in Jesus, ²² to take off^[c](C) your former way of life,^(D) the old self^(E) that is corrupted by deceitful desires, ²³ to be renewed^[d] in the spirit^(F) of your minds,

Christian Warfare

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.^{(A) 11} Put on^(B) the full armor^(C) of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh^(D) and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(E) against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil,^(F) spiritual forces in the heavens.^{(G) 13} For this reason take up the full armor^(H) of God, so that you may be able to resist^(I) in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand,^(J) therefore, with truth^(K) like a belt around your waist, righteousness^(L) like armor on your chest,^{(M) 15} and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield^(N) of faith^(O) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(P) 17} Take the helmet^(Q) of salvation and the sword^(R) of the Spirit^(S)—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray^(T) at all times in the Spirit^(U) with every prayer and request, and stay alert^(V) with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness^(W) the mystery of the gospel. ²⁰ For this I am an ambassador^(X) in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.