nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus.

they only heard it said, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy."

I went up because of a revelation; and I set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who were of reputation, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.

But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek.

But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had slipped in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.

And from those who were reputed to be something (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)those, I say, who were of repute added nothing to me;

(for he who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles),

and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

"We ourselves, who are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners,

yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law will no flesh be justified.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith.

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them."

But the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who does them shall live by them."

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for usfor it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"

Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

But the Scripture has bound everyone under sin, so that that what was promised by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you

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

This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar.

For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren woman who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; for the children of the desolate are more numerous than the children of her who has a husband."

But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now.

I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.

You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen away from grace.

You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

This persuasion did not come from him who calls you.

I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine; and the one who is troubling you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

I wish that those who are troubling you would mutilate themselves!

envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

Let the one who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Those who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.

Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will,

in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of his glory.

who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance, until the redemption of those who are God's possessionto the praise of his glory.

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of his might

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us,

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ.

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

And he came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;

in whom the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord;

in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

and to make plain to everyone the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;

in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him.

from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

He who descended is also he who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.)

But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him, who is the head, into Christ,

from whom the whole body, being joined and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each part, causes the growth of the body and builds itself up in love.

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but rather must labor, doing useful work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with those in need.

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building others up according to the need of the moment, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

So husbands ought also to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

Masters, do the same to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

For I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,

for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

I have no one else like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;

For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh,

Let those of us who are mature have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.

Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who live according to the pattern you have in us.

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Yes, and I ask you also, true yoke-fellow, to help these women who have struggled at my side in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.

to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: grace to you and peace from God our Father.

as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not seen my face in the flesh,

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

and you have been made complete in him, who is the head over all rule and authority.

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Slaves, in everything obey those who are your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

For he who does wrong will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.