As we said before, and now I say again, if anyone is proclaiming a gospel [to] you contrary to what you have received, let him be accursed!

For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism, that to an extraordinary degree I was persecuting the church of God, and trying to destroy it,

Now [this was] because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, in order that they might enslave us,

but knowing that a person is not justified by the works of the law, if not by faith in Jesus Christ, and we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law {no human being will be justified}.

But if [while] seeking to be justified by Christ, [we] ourselves also have been found [to be] sinners, then [is] Christ an agent of sin? May it never be!

For through the law I died to the law, in order that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ,

Have you suffered so many [things] for nothing--if indeed also [it was] for nothing?

then understand that the ones {who have faith}, these are sons of Abraham.

So then, the ones [who have] faith are blessed together with Abraham who believed.

Therefore [is] the law opposed to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, certainly righteousness would have been from the law.

for as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

But now, [because you] have come to know God, or rather have come to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental spirits? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?

I am afraid [for] you, lest perhaps I have labored for you in vain!

I ask you, brothers, become like me, because I also [have become] like you. You have done me no [wrong]!

So where [is] your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes [and] given [them] to me!

So then, have I become your enemy [by] being truthful to you?

For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren woman, who does not give birth to [children]; burst out and shout, [you] who do not have birth pains, because many [are] the children of the desolate [woman], even more than [those of] the one who has a husband."

You are estranged from Christ, [you] who are attempting to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace.

I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will think nothing different, but the one who is confusing you {will pay the penalty}, whoever he may be.

Now those {who belong to Christ} have crucified the flesh together with its feelings and its desires.

But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in someone else.

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