²⁸ Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over^(A) to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. ²⁹ They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,^{(B) 30} slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;^{(C) 31} they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love,^(D) no mercy. ³² Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death,^(E) they not only continue to do these very things but also approve^(F) of those who practice them.

⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’^(A) For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

⁹ Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?^(A) Do not be deceived:^(B) Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers^(C) nor men who have sex with men^{[a](D) 10} nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers^(E) will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And that is what some of you were.^(F) But you were washed,^(G) you were sanctified,^(H) you were justified^(I) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(A) doing something useful with their own hands,^(B) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(C)

¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,^(A) just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders^(B) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

²² Be merciful to those who doubt; ²³ save others by snatching them from the fire;^(A) to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.^[a](B)