¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.^{(A) 19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,^(B) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,^{(C) 20} and teaching^(D) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you^(E) always, to the very end of the age.”^(F)

¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate^(A) made the good confession,^(B) I charge you^{(C) 14} to keep this command without spot or blame^(D) until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,^{(E) 15} which God will bring about in his own time^(F)—God, the blessed^(G) and only Ruler,^(H) the King of kings and Lord of lords,^(I)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,^(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;^(A) if it is giving, then give generously;^(B) if it is to lead,^[a] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

³⁷ If anyone thinks they are a prophet^(A) or otherwise gifted by the Spirit,^(B) let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.^(C)

⁷ I have fought the good fight,^(A) I have finished the race,^(B) I have kept the faith.

⁸ Now there is in store for me^(A) the crown of righteousness,^(B) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day^(C)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^(D)

⁴ This matter arose because some false believers^(A) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on^(B) the freedom^(C) we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.