nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me. Instead, I went away to Arabia and then came back to Damascus.

Now those who were reputed to be important added nothing to my message. (What sort of people they were makes no difference to me, since God pays no attention to outward appearances.)

Until some men arrived from James, he was in the habit of eating with the gentiles, but after those men came, he withdrew from the gentiles and would not associate with them any longer, because he was afraid of the circumcision party.

You see, then, that those who have faith are Abraham's real descendants.

Therefore, those who believe are blessed together with Abraham, the one who believed.

But the Scripture has captured everything by means of sin's net, so that what was promised by the faithfulness of the Messiah might be granted to those who believe.

in order to redeem those who were under the Law, and thus to adopt them as his children.

But now that you know God, or rather have been known by God, how can you turn back again to those powerless and bankrupt basic principles? Why do you want to become their slaves all over again?

Tell me, those of you who want to live under the Law: Are you really listening to what the Law says?

Those of you who are trying to be justified by the Law have been cut off from the Messiah. You have fallen away from grace.

I wish that those who are upsetting you would castrate themselves!

Now those who belong to the Messiah Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.

Brothers, if a person is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should restore that person gently. Watch out for yourself so that you are not tempted as well.

Why, not even those who are circumcised obey the Law! They simply want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your external appearance.

Now may peace be on all those who live by this principle, and may mercy be on the Israel of God.