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 --

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.

For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

(for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles);

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.

For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker.

For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God.

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.

I don't make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"

Even as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness."

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."

Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, "The righteous will live by faith."

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,"

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.

For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

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.

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

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.

I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.

I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,

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.

but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the free woman.

However, the son by the handmaid was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.

These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.

For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.

But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

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."

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."

So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman.

Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.

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.

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

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.

For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

For each man will bear his own burden.

Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

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.

Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up.

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.

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.

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.

For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.