Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin.

The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard?

But now that you have come to know God (or rather to be known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless basic forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?

They court you eagerly, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly.

Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand the law?

For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want.

Those who want to make a good showing in external matters are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh.