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

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.

I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,

I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn't show partiality to man) -- they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,

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

For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not!

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn't say, "To seeds," as of many, but as of one, "To your seed," which is Christ.

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

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

So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.

that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.

However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.

You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?

For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.