¹⁷ But thanks be to God^(A) that, though you used to be slaves to sin,^(B) you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching^(C) that has now claimed your allegiance. ¹⁸ You have been set free from sin^(D) and have become slaves to righteousness.^(E)

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.

²² For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;^(A) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.^(B)

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

¹¹ Dear friends,^(A) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^(B) to abstain from sinful desires,^(C) which wage war against your soul.^{(D) 12} Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds^(E) and glorify God^(F) on the day he visits us.

¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:^(G) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong^(H) and to commend those who do right.^{(I) 15} For it is God’s will^(J) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.^{(K) 16} Live as free people,^(L) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^(M) live as God’s slaves.^(N)