Galatians 5:13-6:18

New International Version

Life by the Spirit

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

¹⁶So I say, walk by the Spirit,^(E) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.^(F) ¹⁷For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.^(G) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[c] you want.^(H) ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit,^(I) you are not under the law.^(J)

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

²²But the fruit^(N) of the Spirit is love,^(O) joy, peace,^(P) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control.^(Q) Against such things there is no law.^(R) ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh^(S) with its passions and desires.^(T) ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit,^(U) let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited,^(V) 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^(W) should restore^(X) that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ²Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^(Y) ³If anyone thinks they are something^(Z) when they are not, they deceive themselves.^(AA) ⁴Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,^(AB) without comparing themselves to someone else,^(AC) ⁵for each one should carry their own load.^(AD) ⁶Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.^(AE)

⁷Do not be deceived:^(AF) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.^(AG) ⁸Whoever sows to please their flesh,^(AH) from the flesh will reap destruction;^(AI) whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.^(AJ) ⁹Let us not become weary in doing good,^(AK) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.^(AL) ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good^(AM) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family^(AN) of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

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

¹²Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh^(AP) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.^(AQ) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted^(AR) for the cross of Christ. ¹³Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(AS) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^(AT) ¹⁴May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(AU) through which^[d] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.^(AV) ¹⁵Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;^(AW) what counts is the new creation.^(AX) ¹⁶Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to^[e] the Israel of God.

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

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

Footnotes

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.
Galatians 5:14 Lev. 19:18
Galatians 5:17 Or you do not do what
Galatians 6:14 Or whom
Galatians 6:16 Or rule and to

Psalm 81

New International Version

Psalm 81^[a]

For the director of music. According to gittith.^[b] Of Asaph.

¹Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!^(A)
²Begin the music, strike the timbrel,^(B)
play the melodious harp^(C) and lyre.^(D)

³Sound the ram’s horn^(E) at the New Moon,^(F)
    and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;
⁴this is a decree for Israel,
    an ordinance of the God of Jacob.^(G)
⁵When God went out against Egypt,^(H)
    he established it as a statute for Joseph.

I heard an unknown voice say:^(I)

⁶“I removed the burden^(J) from their shoulders;^(K)
    their hands were set free from the basket.
⁷In your distress you called^(L) and I rescued you,
    I answered^(M) you out of a thundercloud;
    I tested you at the waters of Meribah.^[c]^(N)
⁸Hear me, my people,^(O) and I will warn you—
    if you would only listen to me, Israel!
⁹You shall have no foreign god^(P) among you;
    you shall not worship any god other than me.
¹⁰I am the Lord your God,
    who brought you up out of Egypt.^(Q)
Open^(R) wide your mouth and I will fill^(S) it.

¹¹“But my people would not listen to me;
Israel would not submit to me.^(T)
¹²So I gave them over^(U) to their stubborn hearts
to follow their own devices.

¹³“If my people would only listen to me,^(V)
    if Israel would only follow my ways,
¹⁴how quickly I would subdue^(W) their enemies
    and turn my hand against^(X) their foes!
¹⁵Those who hate the Lord would cringe^(Y) before him,
    and their punishment would last forever.
¹⁶But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;^(Z)
    with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”