⁶ But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the ^(A)new way of ^(B)the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.^[a]

The Law and Sin

⁷ What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, ^(C)I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if ^(D)the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” ⁸ But sin, ^(E)seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. ^(F)For apart from the law, sin lies dead. ⁹ I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, ^(A)sold under sin. ¹⁵ For I do not understand my own actions. For ^(B)I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.