17. You used to be slaves of sin. But I thank God that with all your heart you obeyed the teaching you received from me.
18. Now you are set free from sin and are slaves who please God.
19. I am using these everyday examples, because in some ways you are still weak. You used to let the different parts of your body be slaves of your evil thoughts. But now you must make every part of your body serve God, so that you will belong completely to him.
20. When you were slaves of sin, you didn't have to please God.
21. But what good did you receive from the things you did? All you have to show for them is your shame, and they lead to death.
22. Now you have been set free from sin, and you are God's slaves. This will make you holy and will lead you to eternal life.
23. The reward for sin is death. But God's gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.