Those who were looked upon as leaders -- what they were makes no difference to me -- God pays no attention to outward appearances these leaders added nothing new to me.

and the law has nothing to do with faith, but it says, "It is the man who does these things that will live by doing them."

These men are paying you special attention, but not sincerely. They want to shut you off from me, so that you may keep on paying them special attention.

This is spoken as an allegory. For these women are two covenants, one coming from Mount Sinai, bearing children that are to be slaves;

I almost wish that these men who are upsetting you would go all the way, and have themselves mutilated.

For the cravings of the lower nature are just the opposite to those of the Spirit, and the cravings of the Spirit are just the opposite of those of the lower nature; these two are opposed to each other, so that you cannot do anything you please.

These men who are trying to force you to let yourselves be circumcised simply want to make a fine outward show, only to keep you from being persecuted for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.