¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit,^(A) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.^(B)

¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.^(A) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[a] you want.^(B)

¹⁶ Live as free people,^(A) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^(B) live as God’s slaves.^(C)

¹⁹ They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”^(A)

⁴ For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about^[a] long ago have secretly slipped in among you.^(A) They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.^(B)