and signalized myself in Judaism above many of those of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly a zealot for the traditions of my fathers.

and before I went up to Jerusalem to see those who had been apostles before me, I retired to Arabia, and afterwards returned to Damascus.

and I went up by revelation, and did submit to them the good news that I preach among the nations, and privately to those esteemed, lest in vain I might run or did run;

But because of those false brothers stealing in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus; they desiring to enslave us;

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.

But, quite the opposite, when they saw that I had been made responsible for preaching the good news to those without circumcision, even as Peter had been for those of the circumcision

and [when] James and Cephas and John--those thought to be pillars--acknowledged the grace given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right [hand] of fellowship, in order that we [should go] to the Gentiles and they to the circumcision.

for before the coming of certain from James, with the nations he was eating, and when they came, he was withdrawing and separating himself, fearing those of the circumcision,

For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.

know ye, then, that those of faith -- these are sons of Abraham,

'Blessed in thee shall be all the nations;' so that those of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham,

For those who depend on what the law commands are under a curse, for the Scripture says, "Cursed be everyone who does not continue in all the commands that are written in the book of the law, to do them."

But the Law is not based on faith; no, its words are--'Those who practice these precepts will find Life through them.'

Why then the Law? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to those to whom it had been promised, being ordained through angels in the Mediator's hand.

But the Scripture pictures all mankind as prisoners of sin, so that the promised blessing through faith in Christ might be given to those who have faith.

For all those of you who were given baptism into Christ did put on Christ.

and there is neither Jew nor Greek, those is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

God sent forth his own son born of a woman, and subject to the law, to redeem those,

to ransom those who were subject to law, so that we might be adopted as sons.

But then, indeed, not having known God, ye were in servitude to those not by nature gods,

But now that you know God, or rather have been known by God, how can you turn back again to those powerless and bankrupt basic principles? Why do you want to become their slaves all over again?

And you know that in those early days it was on account of bodily infirmity that I proclaimed the Good News to you,

Now where are those good feelings you had for me? For I can [honestly] testify that [at one time] you would have even gouged out your eyes and given them to me [for sight] if that had been possible.

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

These things are allegorical, for those [women] are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for servitude, which is Hagar;

for it is written, Rejoice, barren woman, that did not bear, break forth and cry, woman that had no pain, for the children of the desolate are more numerous than those of her who had a husband.

But as in those days he who had birth after the flesh was cruel to him who had birth after the Spirit, even so it is now.

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.

But, brothers, if I were still preaching [that a person had] to be circumcised, why am I being persecuted? [Note: Paul's argument seems to be "I must not be preaching circumcision since I am being persecuted by those who believe in it"]. [If I preached that a person had to be circumcised] then my preaching that Christ died on the cross would not be such an offense [to those who believe in it].

I wish that those who are upsetting you would castrate themselves!

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.

Now those things done by the sinful, physical nature [of a person] are evident; they are these: sexual immorality, moral impurity, indecent conduct,

envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I now warn you, as I have done before, that those who practice such things shall not be heirs of the kingdom of God.

gentleness, self-control: ??there is no law against those who practise such things.

And those who belong to Jesus the Christ have crucified the lower nature with its passions and evil cravings.

Brothers, if a person is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should restore that person gently. Watch out for yourself so that you are not tempted as well.

Those who are taught the truth should share all their goods with the man who teaches them.

therefore, then, as we have opportunity, may we work the good to all, and especially unto those of the household of the faith.

Those who wish to make a fair appearance in the flesh compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

for neither do those circumcised themselves keep the law, but they wish you to be circumcised, that in your flesh they may glory.

Now may peace be on all those who live by this principle, and may mercy be on the Israel of God.