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Galatians
Paul's Letter to the Galatians
{1:1} Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but
through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the
dead), {1:2} and all the [1>]brothers[<1] who are with me, to the
assemblies of Galatia: {1:3} Grace to you and peace from God the
Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, {1:4} who gave himself for our sins,
that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the
will of our God and Father--{1:5} to whom be the glory forever and
ever. Amen.
{1:6} I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you
in the grace of Christ to a different "good news"; {1:7} and there
isn't another "good news." Only there are some who trouble you, and
want to pervert the Good News of Christ. {1:8} But even though we, or
an angel from heaven, should preach to you any "good news" other than
that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. {1:9} As we have said
before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any "good news"
other than that which you received, let him be cursed. {1:10} For am I
now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please
men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn't be a servant of
Christ. {1:11} But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good
News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. {1:12}
For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came
to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. {1:13} For you have heard of
my way of living in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond
measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it. {1:14} I
advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of my own age among my
countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my
fathers. {1:15} But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated
me from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, {1:16} to
reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I
didn't immediately confer with flesh and blood, {1:17} nor did I go up
to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into
Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. {1:18} Then after three years I
went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.
{1:19} But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord's
brother. {1:20} Now about the things which I write to you, behold,
before God, I'm not lying. {1:21} Then I came to the regions of Syria
and Cilicia. {1:22} I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of
Judea which were in Christ, {1:23} but they only heard: "He who once
persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy."
{1:24} And they glorified God in me.
{2:1} Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to
Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. {2:2} I went up by
revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among
the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear
that I might be running, or had run, in vain. {2:3} But not even Titus,
who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. {2:4}
This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole
in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they
might bring us into bondage; {2:5} to whom we gave no place in the way
of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might
continue with you. {2:6} But from those who were reputed to be
important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God
doesn't show partiality to man)--they, I say, who were respected
imparted nothing to me, {2:7} but to the contrary, when they saw that I
had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as
Peter with the Good News for the circumcision {2:8} (for he who
appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me
also to the Gentiles); {2:9} and when they perceived the grace that was
given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be
pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we
should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. {2:10} They
only asked us to remember the poor--which very thing I was also zealous
to do.
{2:11} But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face,
because he stood condemned. {2:12} For before some people came from
James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and
separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. {2:13}
And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even
Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. {2:14} But when I saw
that they didn't walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good
News, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as
the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles
to live as the Jews do?
{2:15} "We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners, {2:16}
yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but
through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that
we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the
law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. {2:17}
But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also
were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not! {2:18}
For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself
a law-breaker. {2:19} For I, through the law, died to the law, that I
might live to God. {2:20} I have been crucified with Christ, and it is
no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now
live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and
gave himself up for me. {2:21} I don't make void the grace of God. For
if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"
{3:1} Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the
truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as
crucified? {3:2} I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive
the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? {3:3} Are
you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in
the flesh? {3:4} Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed
in vain? {3:5} He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works
miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by
hearing of faith? {3:6} Even as Abraham "believed God, and it was
counted to him for righteousness." {3:7} Know therefore that those who
are of faith, the same are children of Abraham. {3:8} The Scripture,
foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the
Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations will
be blessed."[2] {3:9} So then, those who are of faith are blessed with
the faithful Abraham. {3:10} For as many as are of the works of the law
are under a curse. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who doesn't
continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do
them."[3] {3:11} Now that no man is justified by the law before God is
evident, for, "The righteous will live by faith."[4] {3:12} The law is
not of faith, but, "The man who does them will live by them."[5]
{3:13} Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a
curse for us. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a
tree,"[6] {3:14} that the blessing of Abraham might come on the
Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the
Spirit through faith. {3:15} Brothers, speaking of human terms, though
it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one
makes it void, or adds to it. {3:16} Now the promises were spoken to
Abraham and to his seed. He doesn't say, "To seeds," as of many, but as
of one, "To your seed,"[7] which is Christ. {3:17} Now I say this. A
covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came
four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the
promise of no effect. {3:18} For if the inheritance is of the law, it
is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
{3:19} What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions,
until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was
ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. {3:20} Now a
mediator is not between one, but God is one. {3:21} Is the law then
against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law
given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have
been of the law. {3:22} But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under
sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those
who believe. {3:23} But before faith came, we were kept in custody
under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be
revealed. {3:24} So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to
Christ, that we might be justified by faith. {3:25} But now that faith
has come, we are no longer under a tutor. {3:26} For you are all
children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. {3:27} For as many of
you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. {3:28} There is
neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is
neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. {3:29} If
you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to
promise.
{4:1} But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no
different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; {4:2} but is
under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.
{4:3} So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the
elemental principles of the world. {4:4} But when the fullness of the
time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,
{4:5} that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might
receive the adoption of children. {4:6} And because you are children,
God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,
"[8>]Abba,[<8] Father!" {4:7} So you are no longer a bondservant, but a
son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. {4:8} However at
that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature
are not gods. {4:9} But now that you have come to know God, or rather
to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and
miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage
all over again? {4:10} You observe days, months, seasons, and years.
{4:11} I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
{4:12} I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as
you are. You did me no wrong, {4:13} but you know that because of
weakness of the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time.
{4:14} That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn't
despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as
Christ Jesus.
{4:15} What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that,
if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
{4:16} So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
{4:17} They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to
alienate you, that you may seek them. {4:18} But it is always good to
be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
{4:19} My little children, of whom I am again in travail until
Christ is formed in you--{4:20} but I could wish to be present with you
now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. {4:21} Tell
me, you that desire to be under the law, don't you listen to the law?
{4:22} For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the
handmaid, and one by the free woman. {4:23} However, the son by the
handmaid was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman
was born through promise. {4:24} These things contain an allegory, for
these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to
bondage, which is Hagar. {4:25} For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in
Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in
bondage with her children. {4:26} But the Jerusalem that is above is
free, which is the mother of us all. {4:27} For it is written,
"Rejoice, you barren who don't bear.
Break forth and shout, you that don't travail.
For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a
husband."[9]
{4:28} Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
{4:29} But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted
him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. {4:30}
However what does the Scripture say? "Throw out the handmaid and her
son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the
free woman."[10] {4:31} So then, brothers, we are not children of a
handmaid, but of the free woman.
{5:1} Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made
us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. {5:2}
Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will
profit you nothing. {5:3} Yes, I testify again to every man who
receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. {5:4}
You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the
law. You have fallen away from grace. {5:5} For we, through the Spirit,
by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. {5:6} For in Christ Jesus
neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith
working through love. {5:7} You were running well! Who interfered with
you that you should not obey the truth? {5:8} This persuasion is not
from him who calls you. {5:9} A little yeast grows through the whole
lump. {5:10} I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will
think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment,
whoever he is.
{5:11} But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I
still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been
removed. {5:12} I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves
off. {5:13} For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use
your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one
another. {5:14} For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this:
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."[11] {5:15} But if you bite
and devour one another, be careful that you don't consume one another.
{5:16} But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of
the flesh. {5:17} For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the
Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that
you may not do the things that you desire. {5:18} But if you are led by
the Spirit, you are not under the law. {5:19} Now the works of the
flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness,
lustfulness, {5:20} idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies,
outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, {5:21} envyings,
murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I
forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice
such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
{5:22} But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, [12>]faith,[<12] {5:23} gentleness, and
self-control. Against such things there is no law. {5:24} Those who
belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
{5:25} If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. {5:26}
Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one
another.
{6:1} Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are
spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to
yourself so that you also aren't tempted. {6:2} Bear one another's
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. {6:3} For if a man thinks
himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. {6:4}
But let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in
himself and not in his neighbor. {6:5} For each man will bear his own
burden. {6:6} But let him who is taught in the word share all good
things with him who teaches. {6:7} Don't be deceived. God is not
mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. {6:8} For he
who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he
who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. {6:9}
Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if
we don't give up. {6:10} So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what
is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the
household of the faith.
{6:11} See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand.
{6:12} As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to
be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of
Christ. {6:13} For even they who receive circumcision don't keep the
law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may
boast in your flesh. {6:14} But far be it from me to boast, except in
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been
crucified to me, and I to the world. {6:15} For in Christ Jesus neither
is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
{6:16} As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on
God's Israel. {6:17} From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for
I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.
{6:18} The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers. Amen.
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Footnotes:
[1] {1:2} The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may
also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
[2] {3:8} Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18
[3] {3:10} Deuteronomy 27:26
[4] {3:11} Habakkuk 2:4
[5] {3:12} Leviticus 18:5
[6] {3:13} Deuteronomy 21:23
[7] {3:16} Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 24:7
[8] {4:6} Abba is a Greek spelling for the Chaldee word for "Father" or
"Daddy" used in a familiar, respectful, and loving way.
[9] {4:27} Isaiah 54:1
[10] {4:30} Genesis 21:10
[11] {5:14} Leviticus 19:18
[12] {5:22} or, faithfulness
