[It also comes from] all of the brothers who are with me [and is being sent] to the churches of Galatia [i.e., Iconium, Derbe, Lystra and Antioch of Pisidia].

I am surprised that you are being so quickly turned away from him whose word came to you in the grace of Christ, to good news of a different sort;

owing to nothing but your being practised upon by some, who would overturn the gospel of Christ.

And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

But when God who gave me being and called me by his grace,

to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles [as the good news—the way of salvation], I did not immediately consult with anyone [for guidance regarding God’s call and His revelation to me].

I went up [to Jerusalem] because of a [divine] revelation, and I put before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so in private before those of reputation, for fear that I might be running or had run [the course of my ministry] in vain.

But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

and that because of incomers, being false brethren, which came in among others to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.

But from those who were conspicuous as being somewhat whatsoever they were, it makes no difference to me: God does not accept man's person; for to me those who were conspicuous communicated nothing;

and recognising the grace given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were conspicuous as being pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go to the nations, and they to the circumcision;

For before certain came from James, he ate with the nations: and when they came, he drew down, and separated himself, being afraid of them of the circumcision.

But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

yet we know that a man is not justified [and placed in right standing with God] by works of the Law, but [only] through faith in [God’s beloved Son,] Christ Jesus. And even we [as Jews] have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law. By observing the Law no one will ever be justified [declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty].

For if I [or anyone else should] rebuild [through word or by practice] what I once tore down [the belief that observing the Law is essential for salvation], I prove myself to be a transgressor.

I have been crucified [i.e., died] with Christ, and so I am not the one who lives [anymore] but rather, it is Christ who lives in my heart. And [now] my entire life is being lived by trusting in the Son of God [to save and keep me], because He loved me and gave Himself up for me.

You foolish people [of the churches] of Galatia [Note: This was a province in present-day Turkey], who tricked you? Was not Jesus Christ graphically portrayed before you as being put to death on a cross?

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

And, this, I say - a covenant previously confirmed by God, the law which, after four hundred and thirty years, hath been brought into being, doth not annul, so as to do away with the promise.

Why then the Law? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to those to whom it had been promised, being ordained through angels in the Mediator's hand.

Now an intermediary does not serve in a situation involving [only] one person. However, God is one [Being].

Then was the law against the promises of God? it could not be so. For if the law was given being able to create life, truly justification would have been by law:

But the words of Scripture represent the whole world as being in bondage to sin, so that the promised blessing, dependent, as it is, upon faith in Jesus Christ, may be given to those who have faith in him.

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

but now faith being come, we are no longer under a pedagogue.

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

being under tutors and guardians, 'till the time prefix'd by his father.

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, coming into being out of a woman, having come under Law,

Formerly when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods at all.

but now, knowing God, but rather being known by God, how do ye turn again to the weak and beggarly principles to which ye desire to be again anew in bondage?

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

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

Tell me, ye who are desirous of being under law, do ye not listen to the law?

This is being said as an allegory, for these women represent two covenants. The one woman, Hagar, is from Mount Sinai, and her children are born into slavery.

this Agar answers to the Jerusalem now in being, for she is in servitude with her children:

Ye were separated from Christ, whoever of you are being justified by law; ye fell out of grace;

For we are waiting for the hope [to be fulfilled] of being made right with God by [the power of] the Holy Spirit.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any power, nor uncircumcision; but faith being energetic through love.

[Your] being persuaded [to do this] was not motivated by God, who called you [into His fellowship].

Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

And, if, by Spirit, ye are being led, ye are not under law.

We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.

Brothers, if any one of you is overwhelmed by a [particular] sin, those of you who are spiritually minded should [attempt to] restore such a person [to faithfulness]. But do it in a gentle way, being very careful that you yourself do not become tempted [to get involved in any sin].

For if any man reputes himself to be something, being nothing, he deceives himself;

Howbeit, let him who is being orally instructed in the word, have fellowship with him that is so instructing him, in all good things.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.

And doing good let us not despond: for in proper time we shall reap, not being enervated.

So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

Those who want to make a good impression in public [before the Jews] try to compel you to be circumcised, just so they will escape being persecuted for [faithfulness to] the cross of Christ.

Even those who are being circumcised, are not themselves keeping the Law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may glory in your flesh.

For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, what matters is being a new creation.