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Galatians 1-6
Young's Literal Translation

1 Paul, an apostle -- not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who did raise him out of the dead --

2 and all the brethren with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:

3 Grace to you, and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 who did give himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of the present evil age, according to the will of God even our Father,

5 to whom [is] the glory to the ages of the ages. Amen.

6 I wonder that ye are so quickly removed from Him who did call you in the grace of Christ to another good news;

7 that is not another, except there be certain who are troubling you, and wishing to pervert the good news of the Christ;

8 but even if we or a messenger out of heaven may proclaim good news to you different from what we did proclaim to you -- anathema let him be!

9 as we have said before, and now say again, If any one to you may proclaim good news different from what ye did receive -- anathema let him be!

10 for now men do I persuade, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if yet men I did please -- Christ's servant I should not be.

11 And I make known to you, brethren, the good news that were proclaimed by me, that it is not according to man,

12 for neither did I from man receive it, nor was I taught [it], but through a revelation of Jesus Christ,

13 for ye did hear of my behaviour once in Judaism, that exceedingly I was persecuting the assembly of God, and wasting it,

14 and I was advancing in Judaism above many equals in age in mine own race, being more abundantly zealous of my fathers' deliverances,

15 and when God was well pleased -- having separated me from the womb of my mother, and having called [me] through His grace --

16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might proclaim him good news among the nations, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood,

17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem unto those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus,

18 then, after three years I went up to Jerusalem to enquire about Peter, and remained with him fifteen days,

19 and other of the apostles I did not see, except James, the brother of the Lord.

20 And the things that I write to you, lo, before God -- I lie not;

21 then I came to the regions of Syria and of Cilicia,

22 and was unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea, that [are] in Christ,

23 and only they were hearing, that `he who is persecuting us then, doth now proclaim good news -- the faith that then he was wasting;'

24 and they were glorifying God in me.

2 Then, after fourteen years again I went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, having taken with me also Titus;

2 and I went up by revelation, and did submit to them the good news that I preach among the nations, and privately to those esteemed, lest in vain I might run or did run;

3 but not even Titus, who [is] with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised --

4 and [that] because of the false brethren brought in unawares, who did come in privily to spy out our liberty that we have in Christ Jesus, that us they might bring under bondage,

5 to whom not even for an hour we gave place by subjection, that the truth of the good news might remain to you.

6 And from those who were esteemed to be something -- whatever they were then, it maketh no difference to me -- the face of man God accepteth not, for -- to me those esteemed did add nothing,

7 but, on the contrary, having seen that I have been entrusted with the good news of the uncircumcision, as Peter with [that] of the circumcision,

8 for He who did work with Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, did work also in me in regard to the nations,

9 and having known the grace that was given to me, James, and Cephas, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, a right hand of fellowship they did give to me, and to Barnabas, that we to the nations, and they to the circumcision [may go],

10 only, of the poor that we should be mindful, which also I was diligent -- this very thing -- to do.

11 And when Peter came to Antioch, to the face I stood up against him, because he was blameworthy,

12 for before the coming of certain from James, with the nations he was eating, and when they came, he was withdrawing and separating himself, fearing those of the circumcision,

13 and dissemble with him also did the other Jews, so that also Barnabas was carried away by their dissimulation.

14 But when I saw that they are not walking uprightly to the truth of the good news, I said to Peter before all, `If thou, being a Jew, in the manner of the nations dost live, and not in the manner of the Jews, how the nations dost thou compel to Judaize?

15 we by nature Jews, and not sinners of the nations,

16 having known also that a man is not declared righteous by works of law, if not through the faith of Jesus Christ, also we in Christ Jesus did believe, that we might be declared righteous by the faith of Christ, and not by works of law, wherefore declared righteous by works of law shall be no flesh.'

17 And if, seeking to be declared righteous in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, [is] then Christ a ministrant of sin? let it not be!

18 for if the things I threw down, these again I build up, a transgressor I set myself forth;

19 for I through law, did die, that to God I may live;

20 with Christ I have been crucified, and live no more do I, and Christ doth live in me; and that which I now live in the flesh -- in the faith I live of the Son of God, who did love me and did give himself for me;

21 I do not make void the grace of God, for if righteousness [be] through law -- then Christ died in vain.

3 O thoughtless Galatians, who did bewitch you, not to obey the truth -- before whose eyes Jesus Christ was described before among you crucified?

2 this only do I wish to learn from you -- by works of law the Spirit did ye receive, or by the hearing of faith?

3 so thoughtless are ye! having begun in the Spirit, now in the flesh do ye end?

4 so many things did ye suffer in vain! if, indeed, even in vain.

5 He, therefore, who is supplying to you the Spirit, and working mighty acts among you -- by works of law or by the hearing of faith [is it]?

6 according as Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him -- to righteousness;

7 know ye, then, that those of faith -- these are sons of Abraham,

8 and the Writing having foreseen that by faith God doth declare righteous the nations did proclaim before the good news to Abraham --

9 `Blessed in thee shall be all the nations;' so that those of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham,

10 for as many as are of works of law are under a curse, for it hath been written, `Cursed [is] every one who is not remaining in all things that have been written in the Book of the Law -- to do them,'

11 and that in law no one is declared righteous with God, is evident, because `The righteous by faith shall live;'

12 and the law is not by faith, but -- `The man who did them shall live in them.'

13 Christ did redeem us from the curse of the law, having become for us a curse, for it hath been written, `Cursed is every one who is hanging on a tree,'

14 that to the nations the blessing of Abraham may come in Christ Jesus, that the promise of the Spirit we may receive through the faith.

15 Brethren, as a man I say [it], even of man a confirmed covenant no one doth make void or doth add to,

16 and to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed; He doth not say, `And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, `And to thy seed,' which is Christ;

17 and this I say, A covenant confirmed before by God to Christ, the law, that came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not set aside, to make void the promise,

18 for if by law [be] the inheritance, [it is] no more by promise, but to Abraham through promise did God grant [it].

19 Why, then, the law? on account of the transgressions it was added, till the seed might come to which the promise hath been made, having been set in order through messengers in the hand of a mediator --

20 and the mediator is not of one, and God is one --

21 the law, then, [is] against the promises of God? -- let it not be! for if a law was given that was able to make alive, truly by law there would have been the righteousness,

22 but the Writing did shut up the whole under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ may be given to those believing.

23 And before the coming of the faith, under law we were being kept, shut up to the faith about to be revealed,

24 so that the law became our child-conductor -- to Christ, that by faith we may be declared righteous,

25 and the faith having come, no more under a child-conductor are we,

26 for ye are all sons of God through the faith in Christ Jesus,

27 for as many as to Christ were baptized did put on Christ;

28 there is not here Jew or Greek, there is not here servant nor freeman, there is not here male and female, for all ye are one in Christ Jesus;

29 and if ye [are] of Christ then of Abraham ye are seed, and according to promise -- heirs.

4 And I say, so long time as the heir is a babe, he differeth nothing from a servant -- being lord of all,

2 but is under tutors and stewards till the time appointed of the father,

3 so also we, when we were babes, under the elements of the world were in servitude,

4 and when the fulness of time did come, God sent forth His Son, come of a woman, come under law,

5 that those under law he may redeem, that the adoption of sons we may receive;

6 and because ye are sons, God did send forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, `Abba, Father!'

7 so that thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.

8 But then, indeed, not having known God, ye were in servitude to those not by nature gods,

9 and now, having known God -- and rather being known by God -- how turn ye again unto the weak and poor elements to which anew ye desire to be in servitude?

10 days ye observe, and months, and times, and years!

11 I am afraid of you, lest in vain I did labour toward you.

12 Become as I [am] -- because I also [am] as ye brethren, I beseech you; to me ye did no hurt,

13 and ye have known that through infirmity of the flesh I did proclaim good news to you at the first,

14 and my trial that [is] in my flesh ye did not despise nor reject, but as a messenger of God ye did receive me -- as Christ Jesus;

15 what then was your happiness? for I testify to you, that if possible, your eyes having plucked out, ye would have given to me;

16 so that your enemy have I become, being true to you?

17 they are zealous for you -- [yet] not well, but they wish to shut us out, that for them ye may be zealous;

18 and [it is] good to be zealously regarded, in what is good, at all times, and not only in my being present with you;

19 my little children, of whom again I travail in birth, till Christ may be formed in you,

20 and I was wishing to be present with you now, and to change my voice, because I am in doubt about you.

21 Tell me, ye who are willing to be under law, the law do ye not hear?

22 for it hath been written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the maid-servant, and one by the free-woman,

23 but he who [is] of the maid-servant, according to flesh hath been, and he who [is] of the free-woman, through the promise;

24 which things are allegorized, for these are the two covenants: one, indeed, from mount Sinai, to servitude bringing forth, which is Hagar;

25 for this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and doth correspond to the Jerusalem that now [is], and is in servitude with her children,

26 and the Jerusalem above is the free-woman, which is mother of us all,

27 for it hath been written, `Rejoice, O barren, who art not bearing; break forth and cry, thou who art not travailing, because many [are] the children of the desolate -- more than of her having the husband.'

28 And we, brethren, as Isaac, are children of promise,

29 but as then he who was born according to the flesh did persecute him according to the spirit, so also now;

30 but what saith the Writing? `Cast forth the maid-servant and her son, for the son of the maid-servant may not be heir with the son of the free-woman;'

31 then, brethren, we are not a maid-servant's children, but the free-woman's.

5 In the freedom, then, with which Christ did make you free -- stand ye, and be not held fast again by a yoke of servitude;

2 lo, I Paul do say to you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing;

3 and I testify again to every man circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law;

4 ye were freed from the Christ, ye who in law are declared righteous; from the grace ye fell away;

5 for we by the Spirit, by faith, a hope of righteousness do wait for,

6 for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith through love working.

7 Ye were running well; who did hinder you -- not to obey the truth?

8 the obedience [is] not of him who is calling you!

9 a little leaven the whole lump doth leaven;

10 I have confidence in regard to you in the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded; and he who is troubling you shall bear the judgment, whoever he may be.

11 And I, brethren, if uncircumcision I yet preach, why yet am I persecuted? then hath the stumbling-block of the cross been done away;

12 O that even they would cut themselves off who are unsettling you!

13 For ye -- to freedom ye were called, brethren, only not the freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through the love serve ye one another,

14 for all the law in one word is fulfilled -- in this: `Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;'

15 and if one another ye do bite and devour, see -- that ye may not by one another be consumed.

16 And I say: In the Spirit walk ye, and the desire of the flesh ye may not complete;

17 for the flesh doth desire contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit contrary to the flesh, and these are opposed one to another, that the things that ye may will -- these ye may not do;

18 and if by the Spirit ye are led, ye are not under law.

19 And manifest also are the works of the flesh, which are: Adultery, whoredom, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strifes, emulations, wraths, rivalries, dissensions, sects,

21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revellings, and such like, of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that those doing such things the reign of God shall not inherit.

22 And the fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,

23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law;

24 and those who are Christ's, the flesh did crucify with the affections, and the desires;

25 if we may live in the Spirit, in the Spirit also we may walk;

26 let us not become vain-glorious -- one another provoking, one another envying!

6 Brethren, if a man also may be overtaken in any trespass, ye who [are] spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering thyself -- lest thou also may be tempted;

2 of one another the burdens bear ye, and so fill up the law of the Christ,

3 for if any one doth think [himself] to be something -- being nothing -- himself he doth deceive;

4 and his own work let each one prove, and then in regard to himself alone the glorying he shall have, and not in regard to the other,

5 for each one his own burden shall bear.

6 And let him who is instructed in the word share with him who is instructing -- in all good things.

7 Be not led astray; God is not mocked; for what a man may sow -- that also he shall reap,

8 because he who is sowing to his own flesh, of the flesh shall reap corruption; and he who is sowing to the Spirit, of the Spirit shall reap life age-during;

9 and in the doing good we may not be faint-hearted, for at the proper time we shall reap -- not desponding;

10 therefore, then, as we have opportunity, may we work the good to all, and especially unto those of the household of the faith.

11 Ye see in how large letters I have written to you with my own hand;

12 as many as are willing to make a good appearance in the flesh, these constrain you to be circumcised -- only that for the cross of the Christ they may not be persecuted,

13 for neither do those circumcised themselves keep the law, but they wish you to be circumcised, that in your flesh they may glory.

14 And for me, let it not be -- to glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which to me the world hath been crucified, and I to the world;

15 for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation;

16 and as many as by this rule do walk -- peace upon them, and kindness, and on the Israel of God!

17 Henceforth, let no one give me trouble, for I the scars of the Lord Jesus in my body do bear.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [is] with your spirit, brethren! Amen.

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Galatians 1-6
New International Version

1 Paul, an apostle(A)—sent not from men nor by a man,(B) but by Jesus Christ(C) and God the Father,(D) who raised him from the dead(E)— 2 and all the brothers and sisters[a] with me,(F)

To the churches in Galatia:(G)

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,(H) 4 who gave himself for our sins(I) to rescue us from the present evil age,(J) according to the will of our God and Father,(K) 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(L)

No Other Gospel

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called(M) you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel(N)— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion(O) and are trying to pervert(P) the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you,(Q) let them be under God’s curse!(R) 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted,(S) let them be under God’s curse!

10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?(T) If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul Called by God

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,(U) that the gospel I preached(V) is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man,(W) nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation(X) from Jesus Christ.(Y)

13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,(Z) how intensely I persecuted the church of God(AA) and tried to destroy it.(AB) 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous(AC) for the traditions of my fathers.(AD) 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb(AE) and called me(AF) by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,(AG) my immediate response was not to consult any human being.(AH) 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.(AI)

18 Then after three years,(AJ) I went up to Jerusalem(AK) to get acquainted with Cephas[b] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James,(AL) the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God(AM) that what I am writing you is no lie.(AN)

21 Then I went to Syria(AO) and Cilicia.(AP) 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea(AQ) that are in Christ.(AR) 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith(AS) he once tried to destroy.”(AT) 24 And they praised God(AU) because of me.

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem,(AV) this time with Barnabas.(AW) I took Titus(AX) along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation(AY) and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.(AZ) I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race(BA) in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus,(BB) who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.(BC) 4 This matter arose because some false believers(BD) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on(BE) the freedom(BF) we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel(BG) might be preserved for you.

6 As for those who were held in high esteem(BH)—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism(BI)—they added nothing to my message.(BJ) 7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task(BK) of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,[c](BL) just as Peter(BM) had been to the circumcised.[d] 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle(BN) to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle(BO) to the Gentiles. 9 James,(BP) Cephas[e](BQ) and John, those esteemed as pillars,(BR) gave me and Barnabas(BS) the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.(BT) They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,(BU) and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor,(BV) the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Paul Opposes Cephas

11 When Cephas(BW) came to Antioch,(BX) I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James,(BY) he used to eat with the Gentiles.(BZ) But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.(CA) 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas(CB) was led astray.

14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel,(CC) I said to Cephas(CD) in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew.(CE) How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?(CF)

15 “We who are Jews by birth(CG) and not sinful Gentiles(CH) 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law,(CI) but by faith in Jesus Christ.(CJ) So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[f] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.(CK)

17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners,(CL) doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!(CM) 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.

19 “For through the law I died to the law(CN) so that I might live for God.(CO) 20 I have been crucified with Christ(CP) and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.(CQ) The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,(CR) who loved me(CS) and gave himself for me.(CT) 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,(CU) Christ died for nothing!”[g]

Faith or Works of the Law

3 You foolish(CV) Galatians!(CW) Who has bewitched you?(CX) Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.(CY) 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit(CZ) by the works of the law,(DA) or by believing what you heard?(DB) 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?[h] 4 Have you experienced[i] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles(DC) among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?(DD) 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[j](DE)

7 Understand, then, that those who have faith(DF) are children of Abraham.(DG) 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”[k](DH) 9 So those who rely on faith(DI) are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.(DJ)

10 For all who rely on the works of the law(DK) are under a curse,(DL) as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”[l](DM) 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God,(DN) because “the righteous will live by faith.”[m](DO) 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”[n](DP) 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law(DQ) by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[o](DR) 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,(DS) so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.(DT)

The Law and the Promise

15 Brothers and sisters,(DU) let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.(DV) Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”[p](DW) meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years(DX) later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;(DY) but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions(DZ) until the Seed(EA) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels(EB) and entrusted to a mediator.(EC) 20 A mediator,(ED) however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!(EE) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.(EF) 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin,(EG) so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Children of God

23 Before the coming of this faith,[q] we were held in custody(EH) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.(EI) 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came(EJ) that we might be justified by faith.(EK) 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.(EL)

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God(EM) through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ(EN) have clothed yourselves with Christ.(EO) 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,(EP) nor is there male and female,(EQ) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.(ER) 29 If you belong to Christ,(ES) then you are Abraham’s seed,(ET) and heirs(EU) according to the promise.(EV)

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery(EW) under the elemental spiritual forces[r] of the world.(EX) 4 But when the set time had fully come,(EY) God sent his Son,(EZ) born of a woman,(FA) born under the law,(FB) 5 to redeem(FC) those under the law, that we might receive adoption(FD) to sonship.[s](FE) 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son(FF) into our hearts,(FG) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[t] Father.”(FH) 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.(FI)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

8 Formerly, when you did not know God,(FJ) you were slaves(FK) to those who by nature are not gods.(FL) 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God(FM)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[u]? Do you wish to be enslaved(FN) by them all over again?(FO) 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!(FP) 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.(FQ)

12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters,(FR) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness(FS) that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.(FT) 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?(FU)

17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.(FV) 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.(FW) 19 My dear children,(FX) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,(FY) 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Hagar and Sarah

21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law,(FZ) are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman(GA) and the other by the free woman.(GB) 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh,(GC) but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.(GD)

24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above(GE) is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:

“Be glad, barren woman,
    you who never bore a child;
shout for joy and cry aloud,
    you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
    than of her who has a husband.”[v](GF)

28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.(GG) 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh(GH) persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.(GI) It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”[w](GJ) 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman,(GK) but of the free woman.(GL)

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.(GM) Stand firm,(GN) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.(GO)

2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,(GP) Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.(GQ) 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law(GR) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.(GS) 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.(GT) 6 For in Christ Jesus(GU) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.(GV) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.(GW)

7 You were running a good race.(GX) Who cut in on you(GY) to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.(GZ) 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”(HA) 10 I am confident(HB) in the Lord that you will take no other view.(HC) The one who is throwing you into confusion,(HD) whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?(HE) In that case the offense(HF) of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators,(HG) I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.(HH) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[x];(HI) rather, serve one another(HJ) humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[y](HK) 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit,(HL) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.(HM) 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.(HN) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[z] you want.(HO) 18 But if you are led by the Spirit,(HP) you are not under the law.(HQ)

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,(HR) impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.(HS) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.(HT)

22 But the fruit(HU) of the Spirit is love,(HV) joy, peace,(HW) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.(HX) Against such things there is no law.(HY) 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh(HZ) with its passions and desires.(IA) 25 Since we live by the Spirit,(IB) let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,(IC) provoking and envying each other.

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit(ID) should restore(IE) that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.(IF) 3 If anyone thinks they are something(IG) when they are not, they deceive themselves.(IH) 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,(II) without comparing themselves to someone else,(IJ) 5 for each one should carry their own load.(IK) 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.(IL)

7 Do not be deceived:(IM) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.(IN) 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh,(IO) from the flesh will reap destruction;(IP) whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.(IQ) 9 Let us not become weary in doing good,(IR) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.(IS) 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good(IT) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family(IU) of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!(IV)

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh(IW) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.(IX) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted(IY) for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,(IZ) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.(JA) 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,(JB) through which[aa] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.(JC) 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;(JD) what counts is the new creation.(JE) 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[ab] the Israel of God.

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks(JF) of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ(JG) be with your spirit,(JH) brothers and sisters. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 11; and in 3:15; 4:12, 28, 31; 5:11, 13; 6:1, 18.
  2. Galatians 1:18 That is, Peter
  3. Galatians 2:7 That is, Gentiles
  4. Galatians 2:7 That is, Jews; also in verses 8 and 9
  5. Galatians 2:9 That is, Peter; also in verses 11 and 14
  6. Galatians 2:16 Or but through the faithfulness of … justified on the basis of the faithfulness of
  7. Galatians 2:21 Some interpreters end the quotation after verse 14.
  8. Galatians 3:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
  9. Galatians 3:4 Or suffered
  10. Galatians 3:6 Gen. 15:6
  11. Galatians 3:8 Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 22:18
  12. Galatians 3:10 Deut. 27:26
  13. Galatians 3:11 Hab. 2:4
  14. Galatians 3:12 Lev. 18:5
  15. Galatians 3:13 Deut. 21:23
  16. Galatians 3:16 Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 24:7
  17. Galatians 3:23 Or through the faithfulness of Jesus … 23 Before faith came
  18. Galatians 4:3 Or under the basic principles
  19. Galatians 4:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
  20. Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father
  21. Galatians 4:9 Or principles
  22. Galatians 4:27 Isaiah 54:1
  23. Galatians 4:30 Gen. 21:10
  24. Galatians 5:13 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24; and in 6:8.
  25. Galatians 5:14 Lev. 19:18
  26. Galatians 5:17 Or you do not do what
  27. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
  28. Galatians 6:16 Or rule and to
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