To whom we gave way not even for an hour; so that the true words of the good news might still be with you.

But those in authority??hat they once were makes no difference to me; God is no respecter of persons??hose I say who were in authority had no additions to make my message.

On the contrary, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the good news for the heathen, just as Peter had been intrusted with it for the Jews??8 for he who actuated Peter to be an apostle to the Jews also actuated me to be one to the heathen??9 and when they recognized the favor God had shown me, James, Cephas, and John, who were regarded as pillars of the church, pledged Barnabas and me their co-operation, with the understanding that we should work among the heathen and they among the Jews.

(for he who has equipped Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised, equipped me also for the apostleship to the Gentiles),

When they saw the grace which was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who had the name of being pillars, gave to me and Barnabas their right hands as friends so that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision;

For before certain men came from James, he did take food with the Gentiles: but when they came, he went back and made himself separate, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?”

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

but who know that a man is not made upright by doing what the Law commands, but by faith in Christ Jesus??ven we believed in Christ Jesus, so as to be made upright by faith in Christ and not by doing what the Law commands??or by doing what the Law commands no one can be made upright.

But if while seeking to be justified in Christ we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then one who encourages sin? Absolutely not!

But if I build up again those things I once destroyed, I demonstrate that I am one who breaks God's law.

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

O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? You, before whose very eyes Jesus Christ was placarded as crucified!

Does he then who supplies you with his Spirit and works miracles among you, do it because you do what the law commands of because you believe the message heard?

[An example of this is] Abraham, who believed God's [promise] and [because of such faith] he was considered right with God.

Be certain, then, that those who are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham.

So then they who are children of faith are blessed with Abraham the faithful;

but a curse rests on those who have their root in the works of the Law; for it is written. Cursed is every one that continues not in all the things written in the Book of the Law, to do them.

Now [it is] clear that no one is justified in the sight of God by the law, because "the one who is righteous will live by faith."

And the law is not of faith; but, He who does them will have life by them.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is every one who is hanged upon a tree),

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ.

To what purpose, then, was the Law? It was imposed later for the sake of transgressions, until the "Offspring" should come to whom the promise had been made. It was arranged through angels by the hand of a mediator.

but the Scripture has shut up the whole world in prison together under sin, in order that the promise due to faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who have faith.

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

And if you belong to Christ [if you are in Him], then you are Abraham’s descendants, and [spiritual] heirs according to [God’s] promise.

But as long as the person who has an inheritance coming to him is a child, he is really no better off than a slave, even though he himself is [rightfully] entitled [to the inheritance].

But, when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, who came to be of a woman, who came to be under law, -

That he might make them free who were under the law, and that we might be given the place of sons.

And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls "Abba! Father!"

But at that time, having no knowledge of God, you were servants to those who by right are no gods:

These people who have been instructing you are devoted to you, but not in a good way. They want you to avoid me so that you will be devoted to them.

O my little children, of whom I travail again in birth until Christ be formed within you!

Tell me, you who wish to be subject to the Law, why do you not listen to the Law?

But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

which [things] are spoken allegorically, for these [women] are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing [children] for slavery, who is Hagar.

(for the word Hagar stands for Mt. Sinai in Arabia and represents the present Jerusalem who with her children is in bondage.)

but the heavenly Jerusalem is represented by the free-woman, who is the mother of us all.

For it is written, Rejoice, O thou barren one who dost never bear, Break forth in joy, thou that dost not travail; For the children of the desolate woman are many. Yea, more than hers who has a husband.

Now we, brothers, who correspond to Isaac, are children of promise.

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.

So, brothers, we are children not of a slave but of one who is free.

Remember that it is I Paul who tell you that if you receive circumcision Christ will avail you nothing.

I solemnly testify to every man who submits to circumcision that he obligates himself to keep the whole Law.

You are cut off from Christ, you who would have righteousness by the law; you are turned away from grace.

You were running your race nobly. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

The influence brought to bear does not come from him who is calling you.

As for me, I am fully trusting you in the Lord that you will be no otherwise minded; but he who is trying to unsettle you will have to bear his punishment, whoever he may be.

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].

Would to God that those who are trying to unsettle you would even have themselves mutilated.

envy, drunkenness, revellings, and things like these. I tell you beforehand, as I have already told you, that those who practise such sins shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

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

And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and appetites.

Brothers, if a man is taken in any wrongdoing, you who are of the Spirit will put such a one right in a spirit of love; keeping watch on yourself, for fear that you yourself may be tested.

For any person who thinks he is someone [important], when he is really nothing, is self-deceived.

The one who is taught the word [of God] is to share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his spiritual and material support].

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.

For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

Those who want to make a good impression in public [before the Jews] try to compel you to be circumcised, just so they will escape being persecuted for [faithfulness to] the cross of Christ.

Even those who are being circumcised, are not themselves keeping the Law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may glory in your flesh.

But far be it from me to boast [in anything or anyone], except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule [who discipline themselves and conduct their lives by this principle], and upon the [true] Israel of God (Jewish believers).

Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), by the will of God [that is, by His purpose and choice],

To the saints (God’s people) who are at Ephesus and are faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus:

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

Even before the creation of the world God chose us, who are in [fellowship with] Christ, to be dedicated [to Him] and to be without just blame in His sight. Out of love

Who predestined us for sonship through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the desire of his will,

for appreciation of the glory of his grace, by which he blessed us in him who is beloved.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, according to the wealth of his grace,

and in arranging, when the time should have fully come, that everything in heaven and on earth should be unified in Christ??11 the Christ through whom it is our lot to have been predestined by the design of him who in everything carries out the purpose of his will,

In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will,

so that we who were the first to hope in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him as our Lord and Savior] would exist to the praise of His glory.

In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God].

who for the praise of his glory is the pledge of our common heritage, unto the complete redemption of his purchased property.

And what the surpassing greatness of his power unto us who believe, - according to the energy of the grasp of his might

Which, indeed, is his body, the fulness of him who, the all things in all, is for himself filling up.

And so God has given life to you Gentiles also, who were once dead in your trespasses and sins,

in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God].

Among whom also, we all, had our behaviour, at one time, in the covetings of our flesh, doing the things desired by the flesh and the mind, and were children, by nature, of anger - even as the rest, -

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

did raise us all, who were in that deadly state of sin, to life by Christ, for by grace ye are saved:

Wherefore, keep in remembrance - that, at one time, ye, the nations in flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by the so-called Circumcision in flesh, made by hand,

But, just now, in Christ Jesus, ye, who at one time were afar off, were made nigh in the blood of the Christ;

He, in fact, is our peace - who made both one, and, the enclosing middle-wall, took down,

And He came and preached the good news of peace to you [Gentiles] who were far away, and peace to those [Jews] who were near.

So then you are no longer as those who have no part or place in the kingdom of God, but you are numbered among the saints, and of the family of God,

Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone, On whom all the building fitly framed together,

In whom, an entire building, in process of being fitly joined together, is growing into a holy shrine in the Lord;

In whom, ye also, are being builded together, into a habitation of God in Spirit.

This is why I, Paul, whom Jesus the Christ has made a prisoner for the sake of you heathen??2 if at least you have heard how I dealt with the mercy of God that was given me for you,

That they who are of the nations should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and joint partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through means of the glad-message, -

To me, who am less than the least of all saints, has this grace been given, that I should proclaim among the Gentiles the gospel of the unsearchable riches of Christ;

And to bring to light - what is the administration of the sacred secret which had been hidden away from the ages in God, who did all things create:

In whom we have our freedom of speech and introduction with assurance, through the faith of him; -

From whom every fatherhood in the heavens and upon the earth is named, -

Now, unto him who is able to do, above all things, exceeding abundantly above the things which we ask or conceive, - according to the power which doth energise itself within us, -

I, then, the prisoner for the Master's sake, entreat you to live and act as becomes those who have received the call that you have received--

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

He that descended, he, it is who also ascended over-above all the heavens, that he might fill all things;

It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,