To the churches in Galatia, from Paul, an Apostle whose commission is not from men and is given, not by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead;

Is this, I ask, trying to conciliate men, or God? Am I seeking to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

I, at least, did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through a revelation made by Jesus Christ.

I did not, however, see any other Apostle, except James, the Master's brother.

Yet even my companion, Titus, though a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised.

Why, we did not for a moment yield submission to them, that the Truth of the Good News might be yours always!

Of those who are thought somewhat highly of--what they once were makes no difference to me; God does not recognize human distinctions--those, I say, who are thought highly of added nothing to my Message.

But, when I saw that they were not dealing straightforwardly with the Truth of the Good News, I said to Peter, before them all, "If you, who were born a Jew, adopt Gentile customs, instead of Jewish, why are you trying to compel the Gentile converts to adopt Jewish customs?"

We, though we are Jews by birth and not outcasts of Gentile origin, know that no one is pronounced righteous as the result of obedience to Law, but only through faith in Christ Jesus.

So we placed our faith in Christ Jesus, in order that we might be pronounced righteous, as the result of faith in Christ, and not of obedience to Law; for such obedience 'will not result in even one soul's being pronounced righteous.'

I do not reject the love of God. If righteousness comes through Law, then there was no need for Christ to die!

All who rely upon obedience to Law are under a curse, for Scripture says--'Cursed is every one who does not abide by all that is written in the Book of the Law, and do it.'

But the Law is not based on faith; no, its words are--'Those who practice these precepts will find Life through them.'

Now it was to Abraham that the promises were made, 'and to his offspring.' It was not said 'to his offsprings,' as if many persons were meant, but the words were 'to thy offspring,' showing that one person was meant--and that was Christ.

But now that faith has come we no longer need a guide.

And as for what must have tried you in my condition, it did not inspire you with scorn or disgust, but you welcomed me as if I had been an angel of God--or Christ Jesus himself!

It is always honorable to have your favor sought in an honorable cause, and not only when I am with you, my dear children--

Tell me, you who want to be still subject to Law--Why do not you listen to the Law?

But what does the passage of Scripture say? 'Send away the slave-woman and her son; for the slave's son shall not be co-heir with the son of the free woman.'

And so, Brothers, we are not children of a slave, but of her who is free.

It is for freedom that Christ set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not again be held under the yoke of slavery.

The persuasion brought to bear on you does not come from him who calls you.

Remember, Brothers, to you the Call came to give you freedom. Only do not make your freedom an opportunity for self-indulgence, but serve one another in a loving spirit.

But, if you are continually wounding and preying upon one another, take care that you are not destroyed by one another.

But, if you follow the guidance of the Spirit, you are not subject to Law.

Do not let us grow vain, and provoke or envy one another.

Let every one test his own work, and then his cause for satisfaction will be in himself and not in a comparison of himself with his neighbor;

Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. What a man sows that he will reap.

Let us never tire of doing right, for at the proper season we shall reap our harvest, if we do not grow weary.

Even these men who are circumcised do not themselves keep the Law; yet they want you to be circumcised, so that they may boast of your observance of the rite.