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.^(C) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[a] you want.^(D)

²¹ So I find this law at work:^(A) Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being^(B) I delight in God’s law;^{(C) 23} but I see another law at work in me, waging war^(D) against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin^(E) at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?^{(F) 25} Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!^(G)

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law,^(H) but in my sinful nature^[a] a slave to the law of sin.^(I)

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;^(A) but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.^(B)