²⁶ So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements,^(A) will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?^{(B) 27} The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you^(C) who, even though you have the^[a] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

²⁸ A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,^(D) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.^{(E) 29} No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,^(F) by the Spirit,^(G) not by the written code.^(H) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.^(I)

⁹ Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?^(A) We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.^{(B) 10} Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! ¹¹ And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.^(C) So then, he is the father^(D) of all who believe^(E) but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. ¹² And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

¹⁸ Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.^{(A) 19} Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing.^(B) Keeping God’s commands is what counts.

² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,^(A) Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.^{(B) 4} You who are trying to be justified by the law^(C) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^{(D) 5} For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.^{(E) 6} For in Christ Jesus^(F) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(G) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(H)

¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh^(A) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.^(B) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted^(C) for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(D) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^{(E) 14} May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(F) through which^[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.^{(G) 15} Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;^(H) what counts is the new creation.^(I)