¹² training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,^(A)

²⁷ I will put my spirit within you and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.^(A)

The Cross and Self-Denial

²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.^(A)

¹⁹ I am speaking in human terms because of your limitations.^[a] For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and lawlessness, leading to even more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification.^(A)

⁹ then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial and to keep the unrighteous until the day of judgment, when they will be punished^(A)

²² to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts,^{(A) 23} and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.^(B)

Rules for the New Life

²⁵ So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another.^(C)

⁶ whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk in the same way as he walked.^(A)

¹² Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.^(A)

¹² Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of^[a] Jesus.^(A)