Paul, an apostle not from men nor sent by any man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead??2 and all the brothers who are here with me, to the churches of Galatia;

and all the brethren which are with me. Unto the congregations of Galatia.

I marvel that ye are so soon turned from him that called you in the grace of Christ, unto another gospel:

which is not really another one; only there are certain people who are trying to unsettle you and want to turn the good news of Christ upside down.

But I let you know, brethren, as to the glad tidings which were announced by me, that they are not according to man.

Now God is witness that the things which I am writing to you are true.

and was unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea, that are in Christ,

And I went up because of a revelation, and communicated to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who are of reputation, lest, by any means, I should run or had run in vain.

Of those who are thought somewhat highly of--what they once were makes no difference to me; God does not recognize human distinctions--those, I say, who are thought highly of added nothing to my Message.

But when I saw that they were not living up to the truth of the good news, I said to Cephas, and that before them all, "If you are living like a heathen and not like a Jew, although you are a Jew yourself, why do you try to make the heathen live like Jews?"

We which are Jews by nature and not sinners of the gentiles,

If then, while we seek to be made righteous by Christ, we ourselves are found sinners, is not then Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

Are ye so unwise, that after ye have begun in the spirit, ye would now end in the flesh?

Understand, therefore, that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

So then, they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

For as many as are under the deeds of the law, are under malediction. For it is written, "Cursed is every man that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to fulfil them."

But the Law is not based on faith; no, its words are--'Those who practice these precepts will find Life through them.'

But Scripture has shown that all mankind are the prisoners of sin, in order that the promised blessing, which depends on faith in Jesus Christ, may be given to those who believe.

But after that faith is come, now are we no longer under a schoolmaster.

For ye are all the sons of God, by the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

For all ye that are baptised, have put on Christ.

Now is there no Jew, neither gentile, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither man nor woman: but ye are all one thing in Christ Jesus.

If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs by promise.

Because ye are sons, God hath sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, which crieth "Abba, father."

So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir by God's own act.

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

But now, seeing ye know God - yea rather are known of God - how is it that ye turn again unto the weak and beggarly ceremonies, whereunto again ye desire afresh to be in bondage?

You are observing days, months, seasons, years.

Brethren, I beseech you, be ye as I am: for I am as ye are. Ye have not hurt me at all.

But you are aware [I am sure] that when I first came preaching the Gospel [message] to you, I had a physical handicap.

Now where are those good feelings you had for me? For I can [honestly] testify that [at one time] you would have even gouged out your eyes and given them to me [for sight] if that had been possible.

They are jealous over you amiss. Yea they intend to exclude you, that ye should be fervent to them ward.

Now it is always pleasant to be eagerly sought after [provided that it is] for a good purpose, and not just when I am with you [seeking you myself—but beware of the others doing it].

Tell me, ye who are willing to be under law, the law do ye not hear?

Which things betoken mystery. For these women are two testaments, the one from the mount Sinai, which gendreth unto bondage, which is Hagar.

(The word Hagar meaning in Arabia Mount Sinai) and it ranks with the Jerusalem of to-day, for she and her children are in slavery.

for it hath been written, 'Rejoice, O barren, who art not bearing; break forth and cry, thou who art not travailing, because many are the children of the desolate -- more than of her having the husband.'

Brethren, we are, after the manner of Isaac, children of promise:

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman: but of the freewoman.

Christ set us free [from condemnation under the law of Moses], so we could stay free! Remain where you are then, and do not get tangled up again in the enslaving harness [of the law of Moses].

Behold, I Paul tell you, that if you are circumcised Christ will not profit you.

Ye are gone quite from Christ as many as are justified by the law, and are fallen from grace.

For we, by the Spirit, are awaiting the hoped-for blessing which our right standing with God will bring us.

Because in Christ Jesus, having circumcision or not having circumcision are equally of no profit; but only faith working through love.

Ye were running well: - who hath hindered you, that, by truth, ye are not to be persuaded?

I almost wish that these men who are upsetting you would go all the way, and have themselves mutilated.

For you are called to liberty, brothers, only make not your liberty an occasion for the flesh, but by love serve one another.

For the entire Law has been obeyed when you have kept the single precept, which says, "You are to love your fellow man equally with yourself."

But if you continue to bite and eat one another, beware lest you are destroyed by one another.

For the flesh lusteth contrary to the spirit, and the spirit contrary to the flesh. These are contrary one to the other, so that ye cannot do that which ye would.

But and if ye be led of the spirit, then are ye not under the law.

The deeds of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness,

hard drinking, riotous feasting, and the like. And as to these I forewarn you, as I have already forewarned you, that those who are guilty of such things will have no share in the Kingdom of God.

They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the appetites and lusts.

If we are living by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us be guided.

Brethren, if any man be fallen by chance into any fault, ye which are spiritual, help to amend him, in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Those who are taught the truth should share all their goods with the man who teaches them.

While we have, therefore, time; let us do good unto all men, and specially, unto them which are of the household of faith.

Look at how large these letters are because I am writing with my own hand!

These men who are trying to force you to let yourselves be circumcised simply want to make a fine outward show, only to keep you from being persecuted for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For they themselves which are circumcised keep not the law: but desire to have you circumcised that they might rejoice in your flesh.

And on all who are guided by this rule be peace and mercy, and on the Israel of God.