² By no means! We are those who have died to sin;^(A) how can we live in it any longer? ³ Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized^(B) into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death^(C) in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead^(D) through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.^(E)

⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.^{(F) 6} For we know that our old self^(G) was crucified with him^(H) so that the body ruled by sin^(I) might be done away with,^[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin^(J)— ⁷ because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.^(K)

⁸ Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.^{(L) 9} For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead,^(M) he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.^{(N) 10} The death he died, he died to sin^(O) once for all;^(P) but the life he lives, he lives to God.

¹¹ In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin^(Q) but alive to God in Christ Jesus. ¹² Therefore do not let sin reign^(R) in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. ¹³ Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness,^(S) but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.^{(T) 14} For sin shall no longer be your master,^(U) because you are not under the law,^(V) but under grace.^(W)

⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight.^{(A) 8} We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.^{(B) 9} So we make it our goal to please him,^(C) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us^(D) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,^(E) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.^(F)

Adultery

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^{[a](A) 28} But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.^{(B) 29} If your right eye causes you to stumble,^(C) gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble,^(D) cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.