From Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor by human agency, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead)

who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age according to the will of our God and Father,

to whom be glory forever and ever! Amen.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel --

not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ.

But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus.

They were only hearing, "The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news of the faith he once tried to destroy."

Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek.

Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with false pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves.

But from those who were influential (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people) -- those influential leaders added nothing to my message.

(for he who empowered Peter for his apostleship to the circumcised also empowered me for my apostleship to the Gentiles)

and when James, Cephas, and John, who had a reputation as pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision.

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, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified!

so then, understand that those who believe are the sons of Abraham.

So then those who believe are blessed along with Abraham the believer.

For all who rely on doing the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not keep on doing everything written in the book of the law."

But the law is not based on faith, but the one who does the works of the law will live by them.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (because it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree")

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. Scripture does not say, "and to the descendants," referring to many, but "and to your descendant," referring to one, who is Christ.

Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the descendant to whom the promise had been made. It was administered through angels by an intermediary.

But the scripture imprisoned everything and everyone under sin so that the promise could be given -- because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ -- to those who believe.

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

to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights.

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

Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand the law?

For it is written: "Rejoice, O barren woman who does not bear children; break forth and shout, you who have no birth pains, because the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband."

And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.

You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace!

You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth?

This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you!

I am confident in the Lord that you will accept no other view. But the one who is confusing you will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.

envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.

Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it.

because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

Those who want to make a good showing in external matters are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh.

And all who will behave in accordance with this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the Israel of God.