1

1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),

2 and all the brothers that are with me, to the churches of Galatia.

3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father.

5 To whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you to the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.

7 Not that there is another one; but there are some who trouble you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any gospel other than that which we preached to you, let him be accursed.

9 As we have said before, so I now say again: If anyone preaches to you any gospel other than that which you received, let him be accursed.

10 For am I now seeking the favour 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.

11 For, brothers, I make known to you, as regards the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not from man.

12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through direct revelation from Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and made havoc of it.

14 And I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of my own age among my fellow countrymen, being even more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me through His grace,

16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles- immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood,

17 nor did I go to Jerusalem to those that were apostles ahead of me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days.

19 But none of the other apostles did I see, except James, the Lord's brother.

20 In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!

21 Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia,

22 but I was still unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.

23 They only heard say: He that once persecuted us now preaches the faith of which he once made havoc!

24 And they glorified God in me.

2

1 Paul's Argument with Peter Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, also taking Titus with me.

2 And I went up there by revelation, and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.

3 But not even Titus who was with me, being a Gentile, was compelled to be circumcised.

4 In view of the false brothers unknowingly brought in, who came in secretly to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus that they might bring us into bondage,

5 we did not yield to them in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

6 But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatever they were, it makes no matter to me, God does not accept man's person) they, I say, who were of repute added nothing to me.

7 But on the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Gospel to the circumcision

8 (for he that worked through Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, worked through me also to the Gentiles);

9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, then James, 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.

10 Only they asked us to remember the poor, which very thing I was also zealous to do.

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

12 For before that certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that they did not walk straightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before all: If you, being a Jew, live as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

15 We being Jews by nature and not sinners of the Gentiles,

16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law. Because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

17 But if, while we seek to be made righteous in Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? God forbid!

18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.

19 For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God.

20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live but Christ living in me; and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.

21 I do not make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!

3

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your own eyes that Jesus Christ was openly displayed as crucified.

2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now perfected in the flesh?

4 Did you suffer so many things in vain? If it be indeed in vain.

5 Does he that supplies to you the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

6 Even as Abraham believed God, and that faith was imputed to him for righteousness.

7 Know that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham.

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would make the Gentiles righteous by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, when it says: In you shall all the nations be blessed.

9 So then, they that are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do all things that are written in the book of the law.

11 Now it is evident that no one is justified by the law before God! For, The righteous shall live by faith.

12 And the law is not of faith, but: He that does the commandments shall live in them.

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written: Cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree.

14 This was so that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15 Brothers, I speak in human terms. Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds thereto.

16 Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He did not say: And to seeds, in the plural, but in the singular: And to your seed, who is Christ!

17 This is what I mean; the law which came years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise of no effect.

18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise! But God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

19 For what, then, was the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made. The law was given through angels by the hand of a mediator.

20 Now an intermediary implies more than one party, but God is one.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could give life, truly righteousness would have been of the law.

22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.

24 So that the law became our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26 For you are all sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

28 There can be neither Jew nor Gentile, there can be neither slave nor free, there can be no male and female- for you all are one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and the heirs according to the promise!

4

1 God's Adopted Children But I mean so long as the heir is a child, he differs nothing from a slave, though he is lord of all.

2 But the child is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.

3 So we also! When we were children, we were held in bondage under the elementary principles of the world.

4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

5 that He might redeem those that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 So you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

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

9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.

11 I am afraid I may have laboured over you in vain. Paul's Personal Appeal

12 Brothers, I urge you to become as I am, for I also have become as you. You did me no wrong.

13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,

14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as a messenger of God, as Christ Jesus.

15 Where then is that satisfaction you felt? For I testify, that if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

16 So then have I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?

17 They zealously seek you for no good purpose. On the other hand, they desire to exclude you- so you might go running after them.

18 But it is good to be zealous in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you.

19 My little children, of whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ be formed in you:

20 I so wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am in doubt about you. The Allegory of Abraham's Two Sons

21 Tell me, you that want to be under the law, do you not hear the law?

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons. One by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman.

23 However the son by the handmaid was born after the flesh, but the son by the freewoman was born through the promise.

24 Such things contain an allegory. For these women are two covenants. One from mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.

25 Now this Hagar represents mount Sinai in Arabia, she corresponds to the Jerusalem that now is; for she is in bondage with her children.

26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.

27 For it is written: Rejoice, O barren one who did not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who were not in labour! For the children of the desolate woman will be more than those of the one who has a husband.

28 Brothers: We, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

29 But as then, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, so also it is now.

30 However, what does the scripture say? Cast out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman.

31 Therefore brothers, we are not children of the handmaid but of the freewoman.

5

1 For freedom did Christ set us free. Therefore, stand fast and do not get entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

2 Behold, I Paul say to you: If you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing!

3 Yes, I testify again to every man that receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4 You are severed from Christ if you would be justified by the law! You are fallen away from grace.

5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

6 For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

8 This persuasion came not from him that calls you.

9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.

11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then has the stumbling-block of the cross been done away.

12 I would that they that unsettle you would even go beyond circumcision and emasculate themselves.

13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. For these are contrary to each other. You may not do the things you would like to!

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these- fornication, uncleanness, sensuality,

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties,

21 envyings, drunkenness, revellings and such like. Of which I forewarn you now, even as I did previously forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 meekness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

24 And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts of it.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in step with the Spirit.

26 Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

6

1 Brothers, even if a man is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself, lest you also be tempted.

2 Carry one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3 For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

4 But let each man test his own work, and then shall he have his boasting in regard to himself alone, and not of his neighbour.

5 For each man shall carry his own burden.

6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.

7 Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that sows to his own flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. But he that sows to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.

9 And let us not be weary in doing well. For in due season we shall reap, if we do not give up.

10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward those that are in the family of the faith.

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

13 For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves fully keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised so they can boast about you.

14 But far be it for me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything. What counts is being a new creation.

16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one cause me further trouble. For I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 Brothers, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.