I certify to you, brethren, that the gospel, which has been preached by me, is not the result of human artifice:

who had only heard, that I, who formerly persecuted them, did now preach the gospel of faith, which I once endeavoured to suppress:

and I went up according to revelation, and communicated to them that gospel, which I preach among the Gentiles; but privately to those who were of note, lest the pains, that I have already taken, or may hereafter take in the gospel, should be in vain.

and as to the false brethren, who insidiously crept in to spy out our liberty which we have by Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into servitude;

only they recommended to us to get collections for the poor in Judea: which I was very careful to do.

yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in him, and not by the works of the law, by which there is no justification.

Now if it be a sin to seek for justification by Christ, then is Christ the minister of sin, which cannot be.

but they that rest themselves upon the works of the law, are obnoxious to the curse: for it is written, " cursed is every one, who continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them:"

now to Abraham and his offspring were the promises made. he does not say, "to offsprings," as if he spoke of many; but as speaking of one, "and to thy offspring," which means Christ.

this therefore I say, that the law, which was not till four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul the promise, that was ratified before by God, so as to set the promise afoot.

now a mediator supposes two parties, of which God is but one.

Is the law then opposite to the promises? by no means. for if there had been a law given, which could have given life, certainly justification should have been by the law.

or rather that you are favoured by him, how can ye turn again to the weak and beggarly elements of the law, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

yet you did not despise me for the trial which attended my person, nor treated me with scorn; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

I wish I could be present this very moment with you, and suit my discourse accordingly, for I stand in doubt what to think of you.

these things have an allegorical meaning: the two women signify the two covenants, the one from mount Sinai, which is represented by Agar, whose children were born in a state of servitude.

so then, my brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free-woman, by virtue of that freedom which Christ has procur'd for us.

I wish they who unsettle you were entirely circumcised.

drunkenness, revellings, and such like, concerning which I forewarn you now, as heretofore I have done, that they who practise such vices, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

but far be it from me that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world is as contemptible to me, as I am to the world.