yet we know that a person is not justified by doing what the Law requires, but rather by the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah. We, too, have believed in the Messiah Jesus so that we might be justified by the faithfulness of the Messiah and not by doing what the Law requires, for no human being will be justified by doing what the Law requires.

For through the Law I died to the Law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with the Messiah.

I do not misapply God's grace, for if righteousness comes about by doing what the Law requires, then the Messiah died for nothing.

I want to learn only one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the actions of the Law or by believing what you heard?

Does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you because you do the actions of the Law or because you believe what you heard?

Certainly all who depend on the actions of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, "A curse on everyone who does not obey everything that is written in the Book of the Law!"

Now it is obvious that no one is justified in the sight of God by the Law, because "The righteous will live by faith."

But the Law has nothing to do with faith. Instead, "The person who keeps the commandments will have life in them."

The Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written, "A curse on everyone who is hung on a tree!"

This is what I mean: The Law that came 430 years later did not cancel the covenant that God ratified previously. The promise was never nullified.

For if the inheritance comes about through the Law, it no longer comes about through the promise. But it was through a promise that God so graciously gave it to Abraham.

Why, then, was the Law added? Because of transgressions, until the descendant came about whom the promise pertained. It was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator.

So is the Law in conflict with the promises of God? Of course not! For if a law had been given that could give us life, then certainly righteousness would come through the Law.

Now before faith came about, we were held in custody and confined under the Law in preparation for the faith that was to be revealed.

And so the Law was our guardian until the Messiah came, so that we might be justified by faith.

But when the appropriate time had come, God sent his Son, born by a woman, born under the Law,

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

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

Again, I insist that everyone who allows himself to be circumcised is obligated to obey the entire Law.

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.

For the whole Law is summarized in a single statement: "You must love your neighbor as yourself."

But if you are being led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Practice carrying each other's burdens. In this way you will fulfill the law of the Messiah.

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.