¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[a](A) 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.^{(B) 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.^(C)

²¹ So I find this law at work:^(D) Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being^(E) I delight in God’s law;^{(F) 23} but I see another law at work in me, waging war^(G) against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin^(H) at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?^(I)

⁸ For it is by grace^(A) you have been saved,^(B) through faith^(C)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works,^(D) so that no one can boast.^(E)