¹⁷ But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin,^(A) you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were handed^[a] over,^{(B) 18} and having been set free from sin,^(C) you became enslaved to righteousness. ¹⁹ I am using a human analogy^(D) because of the weakness of your flesh.^[b] For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification. ²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness.^[c](E)

¹⁹ They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.^(A)