Amongthem we tooallformerlylivedin the lustsof our flesh,indulgingthe desiresof the fleshand of the mind,and were by naturechildrenof wrath,evenas the rest.
For we alsooncewere foolishourselves,disobedient,deceived,enslavedto variouslustsand pleasures,spending our lifein maliceand envy,hateful,hatingone another.
As obedientchildren,do not be conformedto the formerlusts[which were yours] in your ignorance,
that, in referenceto your formermanner of life,you lay asidethe oldself,which is being corruptedin accordancewith the lustsof deceit,
But puton the LordJesusChrist,and makenoprovisionfor the fleshin regardto [its] lusts.
Thereforedo not let sinreignin your mortalbodysothat you obeyits lusts,
Behold,I was broughtforthin iniquity,And in sinmy motherconceivedme.
For allthat is in the world,the lustof the fleshand the lustof the eyesand the boastful prideof life,is not from the Father,but is from the world.
in whichyou formerlywalkedaccordingto the courseof thisworld,accordingto the princeof the powerof the air,of the spiritthat is nowworkingin the sonsof disobedience.
"You are of [your] fatherthe devil,and you wantto dothe desiresof your father.He was a murdererfrom the beginning,and does not standin the truthbecausethere is notruthin him. Wheneverhe speaksa lie,he speaksfrom his own[nature], for he is a liarand the fatherof lies.
Therefore,havingthesepromises,beloved,let us cleanseourselvesfrom alldefilementof fleshand spirit,perfectingholinessin the fearof God.
For whoregards you as superior?Whatdo you havethat you did not receive?And ifyou did receiveit, whydo you boastas ifyou had not receivedit?
For I knowthat nothinggooddwellsin me, that is, in my flesh;for the willingis presentin me, but the doingof the good[is] not.
but the worriesof the world,and the deceitfulnessof riches,and the desiresfor other thingsenterin and chokethe word,and it becomesunfruitful.
Then the LORDsawthat the wickednessof manwas greaton the earth,and that everyintentof the thoughtsof his heartwas onlyevilcontinually.
For justas you oncewere disobedientto God,but nowhave been shown mercybecause of their disobedience,
WhatifGod,although willingto demonstrateHis wrathand to makeHis powerknown,enduredwith muchpatiencevesselsof wrathpreparedfor destruction?
whowere born,not of bloodnorof the willof the fleshnorof the willof man,but of God.
Allof us like sheephave goneastray,Eachof us has turnedto his own way;But the LORDhas caused the iniquityof us allTo fallon Him.
"Howthen can a manbe justwith God?Or howcan he be cleanwho is bornof woman?
"Whocan makethe cleanout of the unclean?Noone!
The LORDsmelledthe soothingaroma;and the LORDsaidto Himself,"I will neveragaincursethe groundon accountof man,for the intentof man'sheartis evilfrom his youth;and I will neveragaindestroyeverylivingthing,as I have done.
For speakingout arrogant[words] of vanitythey enticeby fleshlydesires,by sensuality,thosewho barelyescapefrom the ones who livein error,
havingeyesfullof adulterythat never ceasefrom sin,enticingunstablesouls,havinga hearttrainedin greed,accursedchildren;
But thosewho wantto get richfallinto temptationand a snareand manyfoolishand harmfuldesireswhichplungemeninto ruinand destruction.
But the Scripturehas shutup everyoneundersin,sothat the promiseby faithin JesusChristmight be givento thosewho believe.
ThereforeGodgave them overin the lustsof their heartsto impurity,sothat their bodieswould be dishonoredamongthem.
On the other hand,I am writinga newcommandmentto you, whichis true in Him and in you, becausethe darknessis passing awayand the true Lightis alreadyshining.
"In the generationsgoneby He permittedallthe nationsto gotheir own ways;
When Adamhad livedone hundredand thirtyyears,he becamethe fatherof [a son] in his own likeness,according to his image,and namedhim Seth.
For whenGentileswho do not havethe Lawdoinstinctivelythe things of the Law,these,not havingthe Law,are a lawto themselves,
Muchmorethen,having nowbeen justifiedby His blood,we shall be savedfrom the wrath[of God] throughHim.
For ifwhile we were enemieswe were reconciledto Godthroughthe deathof His Son,muchmore,having been reconciled,we shall be savedby His life.
And although you were formerlyalienatedand hostilein mind,[engaged] in evildeeds,
But we do not wantyou to be uninformed,brethren,aboutthosewho are asleep,sothat you will not grieveas do the restwho havenohope.
so thenlet us not sleepas othersdo, but let us be alertand sober.
