13 Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? [a](A)Far from it! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by bringing about my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

The Conflict of Serving Two Masters

14 For we know that the Law is (B)spiritual, but I am (C)fleshly, (D)sold [b](E)into bondage to sin. 15 For (F)I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing (G)what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 However, if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with (H)the Law, that the Law is good. 17 But now, (I)no longer am I the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my (J)flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For (K)the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I do the very thing I do not want, (L)I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me.

21 I find then (M)the [c]principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully agree with the law of God [d]in (N)the inner person, 23 but I see (O)a different law in [e]the parts of my body waging war against the (P)law of my mind, and making me a prisoner [f]of (Q)the law of sin, the law which is in [g]my body’s parts.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 7:13 Lit May it never happen!
  2. Romans 7:14 Lit under sin
  3. Romans 7:21 Lit law
  4. Romans 7:22 Or with respect to
  5. Romans 7:23 Lit my parts waging
  6. Romans 7:23 Lit in
  7. Romans 7:23 Lit my parts

13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good(A) to bring about my death,(B) so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual,(C) sold(D) as a slave to sin.(E) 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.(F) 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.(G) 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.(H) 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a](I) For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.(J) 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.(K)

21 So I find this law at work:(L) Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being(M) I delight in God’s law;(N) 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war(O) against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin(P) at work within me.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 7:18 Or my flesh