Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem, to become acquainted with Cephas, and I spent two weeks with him;

Then, fourteen years later, I went up to Jerusalem again, with Barnabas, and took Titus also with me.

I refuse to nullify the mercy of God. For if uprightness could be secured through law, then Christ died for nothing!

Then what about the Law? It was a later addition, designed to produce transgressions, until the descendant to which the promise was made should come, and it was enacted by means of angels, through an intermediary;

though an intermediary implies more than one party, while God is but one.

Is the Law then contrary to God's promises? By no means. For if a law had been given that could have brought life, uprightness would really have come through law.

And if you belong to Christ, then you are true descendants of Abraham and his heirs under the promise.

I mean this: As long as the heir is a minor, he is no better than a slave, although he is the owner of all the property,

So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir, made so by God.

Take my position, I beg you, brothers, just as I once took yours! You took no advantage of me then;

For the Scripture says, "Rejoice, childless woman, who bear no children, Break into shouting, you who have no birth pains! For the desolate woman has more children than the married one!"

But just as then the child born in the ordinary course of nature persecuted the one born through the influence of the Spirit, so it is today.

I mean this: Live by the Spirit, and then you will not indulge your physical cravings.

Every man ought to test his own work, and then whatever satisfaction he has will be with reference to himself, and not in comparison with someone else.

So then whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to those who belong to the family of the faith.