(I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.) For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must happen very soon. He made it clear by sending his angel to his servant John,

Then the slave threw himself to the ground before him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything.’

The lord had compassion on that slave and released him, and forgave him the debt.

He sent his slaves to summon those who had been invited to the banquet, but they would not come.

Blessed is that slave whom the master finds at work when he comes.

But if that evil slave should say to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’

“For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them.

After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them.

A centurion there had a slave who was highly regarded, but who was sick and at the point of death.

Blessed is that slave whom his master finds at work when he returns.

Then the slave said, ‘Sir, what you instructed has been done, and there is still room.’

So he sent another slave. They beat this one too, treated him outrageously, and sent him away empty-handed.

While he was on his way down, his slaves met him and told him that his son was going to live.

The slave does not remain in the family forever, but the son remains forever.

Were you called as a slave? Do not worry about it. But if indeed you are able to be free, make the most of the opportunity.

For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.

Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything.

not like those who do their work only when someone is watching – as people-pleasers – but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.

because you know that each person, whether slave or free, if he does something good, this will be rewarded by the Lord.