⁵ For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law ^(A)were at work in our members ^(B)to bear fruit to death. ⁶ But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve ^(C)in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Sin’s Advantage in the Law

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, ^(D)I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ^(E)“You shall not covet.” ⁸ But ^(F)sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For ^(G)apart from the law sin was dead. ⁹ I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. ¹⁰ And the commandment, ^(H)which was to bring life, I found to bring death. ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. ¹² Therefore ^(I)the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.