For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;

and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.

It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

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

For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.

For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.

For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.

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

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

For as many as are of the 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 perform them.”

Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”

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

What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

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

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.

I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;

Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.

But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.

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

Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.

For it is written,
“Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear;
Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor;
For more numerous are the children of the desolate
Than of the one who has a husband.”

But what does the Scripture say?
“Cast out the bondwoman and her son,
For the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.”

So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

For each one will bear his own load.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

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.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will 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.

For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,

do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;

far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

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

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,

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

for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you;

and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;

Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

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

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

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

for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

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

and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

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

knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,