¹⁵ For I do not understand my own actions. For ^(A)I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶ Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with ^(B)the law, that it is good. ¹⁷ So now ^(C)it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. ¹⁸ For I know that nothing good dwells ^(D)in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. ^19 (E)For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want, ^(F)it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

²¹ So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. ²² For ^(G)I delight in the law of God, ^(H)in my inner being, ²³ but I see in my members ^(I)another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. ²⁴ Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from ^(J)this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

¹⁶ “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

¹⁸ For John came ^(A)neither eating ^(B)nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The Son of Man came ^(C)eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, ^(D)a friend of ^(E)tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”^[a]

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

^25 (A)At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, ^(B)Lord of heaven and earth, that ^(C)you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and ^(D)revealed them to little children; ²⁶ yes, Father, for such was your ^(E)gracious will.^{[a] 27 (F)}All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son ^(G)except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone ^(H)to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ^28 (I)Come to ^(J)me, all who labor and are ^(K)heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and ^(L)learn from me, for I am ^(M)gentle and lowly in heart, and ^(N)you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For ^(O)my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”