Paul, an apostle sent not from men nor by any man, but by Jesus Christ and by God the Father who raised him from the dead;

for another gospel, which indeed is not another; only there are certain individuals who are troubling you, and desiring to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Think you that I am now trying to conciliate men or God? Or am I "seeking to please men"? If I were still seeking to please men, I should not be a slave of Christ.

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel I preach is not man-made;

But although Titus, my companion, was a Greek, they did not compel even him to be circumcised.

To them we did not yield submission even for an hour, in order that the truth of the gospel might abide unshaken among you.

But when I saw that they were not walking a straight path, in the presence of the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all. "If you, although you are a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, why do you try to compel the Gentiles to become Jews?

"We are Jews by birth, and not 'Gentile sinners';

"yet because we know that no man is justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we ourselves also have put our faith in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law; for "By the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."

I do not annul the grace of God; for if righteousness comes by way of the Law, then indeed Christ died Christ for nothing.

but a curse rests on those who have their root in the works of the Law; for it is written. Cursed is every one that continues not in all the things written in the Book of the Law, to do them.

Now it was to Abraham that the promises were spoken, and to his offspring. God did not say, "offsprings" as if speaking of many, but "and to your offspring," as of one; and this is Christ.

I mean to say that the testament which God has already ratified could not be annulled by the Law which came four hundred and thirty years later, so as to make the Promise void.

Is the Law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not; for if a law had been given which could make alive, then righteousness would actually have come from law;

and although my bodily affliction was a trial to you, you did not scoff at it nor spurn me, but welcomed me like an angel of God, like Christ Jesus himself.

It is always an honorable thing to have your favor sought in an honorable cause, always, and not only when I am with you.

Tell me, you who wish to be subject to the Law, why do you not listen to the Law?

For it is written, Rejoice, O thou barren one who dost never bear, Break forth in joy, thou that dost not travail; For the children of the desolate woman are many. Yea, more than hers who has a husband.

But what does the Scripture say? Send away the slave-woman and her son; for the slave's son shall not be heir along with the son of the free woman.

So, brothers, we are the children of no slave woman, but of free woman. For freedom did not Christ set us free;

stand firm then, and do not be again entangled in a yoke of bondage.

But we are not, for we through the Spirit are eagerly waiting by faith for a hope of righteousness (a hope well founded);

The influence brought to bear does not come from him who is calling you.

For you, brothers, were called for freedom; only do not make your freedom an excuse for self-indulgence, but in love enslave yourselves to one another.

This is my meaning. Let your steps be guided by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

For the desire of the flesh is against that of the Spirit, and the desire of the Spirit is against that of the flesh, for they two are antagonistic, so that you may not do those things that you wish.

But if you are habitually led by the Spirit you are not under law.

envy, drunkenness, revellings, and things like these. I tell you beforehand, as I have already told you, that those who practise such sins shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Let each one test his own work, and he will then have something to be proud of by comparing himself with himself, and not with any one else;

Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.

And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

Those who are trying to compel you to be circumcised are such as wish to make a fair show in the flesh, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Even those who are being circumcised, are not themselves keeping the Law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may glory in your flesh.