But even if we, or an angel from heaven, were to be a preacher to you of good news other than that which we have given you, let there be a curse on him.

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

But I let you know, brethren, as to the glad tidings which were announced by me, that they are not according to man.

and prevailed in the Jews' law, above many of my companions, which were of mine own nation, and was a much more fervent maintainer of the traditions of the elders.

Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you as if I were standing before God that I am not lying.)

And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

only they were hearing that he who persecuted us formerly now announces the glad tidings of the faith which formerly he ravaged:

and they were glorifying God in me.

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Also Titus which was with me, though he were a Greek, yet was not compelled to be circumcised;

However, false brothers were secretly brought in. They slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in the Messiah Jesus so that they might enslave us.

But we refused to yield for a single instant to their claims; we were determined that the truth of the gospel should hold good for you.

But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

but, on the contrary, seeing that the glad tidings of the uncircumcision were confided to me, even as to Peter that of the circumcision,

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

They asked only [one thing], that we remember the poor, the very thing I was also eager to do.

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

The rest of the Jewish converts were guilty of the same hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led away by it.

But when I saw that they were not being straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas (Peter) in front of everyone, “If you, being a Jew, live [as you have been living] like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how is it that you are [now virtually] forcing the Gentiles to live like Jews [if they want to eat with you]?”

But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

For if the inheritance were by law, it is no more by promise: but God gave it to Abraham through the promise.

Why then was the Law given? It was imposed later on for the sake of defining sin, until the seed should come to whom God had made the promise; and its details were laid down by a mediator with the help of angels.

Is then the law against the promises of God? Far be the thought. For if a law had been given able to quicken, then indeed righteousness were on the principle of law;

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

But when faith was come, we were no longer under a paedagogue.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods:

Brethren, I beseech you, be ye as I am; for I also am as ye were: ye have not injured me at all.

Even though my condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. On the contrary, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, or as if I were the Messiah Jesus.

What then has become of that sense of blessing and the joy that you once had [from your salvation and your relationship with Christ]? For I testify of you that, if possible, you would have torn out your own eyes and given them to me [to replace mine].

you for whom I am again, as it were, undergoing the pains of childbirth, until Christ is fully formed within you.

how I wish that I were with you now and could change my tone, because I am perplexed in regard to you.

these things have an allegorical meaning: the two women signify the two covenants, the one from mount Sinai, which is represented by Agar, whose children were born in a state of servitude.

ye were freed from the Christ, ye who in law are declared righteous; from the grace ye fell away;

Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?

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].

I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.