Galatians 1:13-2:10

New International Version

¹³ For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,^(A) how intensely I persecuted the church of God^(B) and tried to destroy it.^{(C) 14} I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous^(D) for the traditions of my fathers.^{(E) 15} But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb^(F) and called me^(G) by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,^(H) my immediate response was not to consult any human being.^{(I) 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.^(J)

¹⁸ Then after three years,^(K) I went up to Jerusalem^(L) to get acquainted with Cephas^[a] and stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ I saw none of the other apostles—only James,^(M) the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I assure you before God^(N) that what I am writing you is no lie.^(O)

²¹ Then I went to Syria^(P) and Cilicia.^{(Q) 22} I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea^(R) that are in Christ.^{(S) 23} They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith^(T) he once tried to destroy.”^{(U) 24} And they praised God^(V) because of me.

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem,^(W) this time with Barnabas.^(X) I took Titus^(Y) along also. ² I went in response to a revelation^(Z) and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.^(AA) I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race^(AB) in vain. ³ Yet not even Titus,^(AC) who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.^{(AD) 4} This matter arose because some false believers^(AE) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on^(AF) the freedom^(AG) 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^(AH) might be preserved for you.

⁶ As for those who were held in high esteem^(AI)—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism^(AJ)—they added nothing to my message.^{(AK) 7} On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task^(AL) of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,^[b](AM) just as Peter^(AN) had been to the circumcised.^{[c] 8} For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle^(AO) to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle^(AP) to the Gentiles. ⁹ James,^(AQ) Cephas^[d](AR) and John, those esteemed as pillars,^(AS) gave me and Barnabas^(AT) the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.^(AU) They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,^(AV) and they to the circumcised. ¹⁰ All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor,^(AW) the very thing I had been eager to do all along.