Paul, an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead—

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,

who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.

For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.

For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I persecuted God’s church to an extreme degree and tried to destroy it.

But when God, who from my birth set me apart and called me by His grace, was pleased

Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him 15 days.

Now I am not lying in what I write to you. God is my witness.

And they glorified God because of me.

Now from those recognized as important (what they really were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism)—they added nothing to me.

For through the law I have died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ

and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?

Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness,

Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and told the good news ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you.

Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith.

And I say this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not revoke a covenant that was previously ratified by God and cancel the promise.

For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.

Now a mediator is not for just one person, but God is one.

Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly be by the law.

for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”

So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

But in the past, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods.

But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt elemental forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?

You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you. On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

They are enthusiastic about you, but not for any good. Instead, they want to isolate you so you will be enthusiastic about them.

Now it is always good to be enthusiastic about good—and not just when I am with you.

Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all.

I wish those who are disturbing you might also get themselves castrated!

envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap,

So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.

Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised—but only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy to the Israel of God!