The Conflict of Serving Two Masters

14 For we know that the Law is (A)spiritual, but I am (B)fleshly, (C)sold [a](D)into bondage to sin. 15 For (E)I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing (F)what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 However, if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with (G)the Law, that the Law is good. 17 But now, (H)no longer am I the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my (I)flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For (J)the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I do the very thing I do not want, (K)I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me.

21 I find then (L)the [b]principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 7:14 Lit under sin
  2. Romans 7:21 Lit law

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual,(A) sold(B) as a slave to sin.(C) 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.(D) 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.(E) 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.(F) 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a](G) 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.(H) 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.(I)

21 So I find this law at work:(J) Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 7:18 Or my flesh